Hatti Students suffer as delay in ST certificate implementation continues
Old photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, July 24,
Over 40,000 students from the Hatti community in Himachal Pradesh are facing severe setbacks in education and employment due to the prolonged delay in the implementation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, despite its passage through Parliament over a year and a half ago.
The Shimla unit of the Central Hatti Committee has strongly criticized the state government, calling the delay an “insult to Parliament” and accusing authorities of deliberately stalling the process through legal formalities and administrative inaction.
At a press conference held in Shimla, Committee President Dr. Ramesh Singta, Senior Vice President Dalip Singta, and Media Incharge Anuj Sharma expressed deep concern over the impact on students. They stated that many eligible candidates are being denied ST certificates, resulting in the loss of scholarships, admissions, and job opportunities.
“Several students who cleared competitive exams under the ST category are now being forced to apply under the general category due to the non-issuance of valid certificates,” said Dr. Singta.
The Committee alleged that the State government is misinterpreting the provisions of the central law and unjustifiably referring the matter to the courts, despite having no jurisdiction to alter a law passed by Parliament.
They called on the state to present a strong defence of the ST status for the Hatti community in the Himachal Pradesh High Court, much like it did in the case of defending Chief Parliamentary Secretaries’ assembly membership.
In a strong appeal for intervention, the Committee urged Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to step in and ensure justice is delivered. They recalled the Governor’s earlier role in clearing the Rajya Sabha hurdle for the Hatti Bill, emphasizing his importance in resolving the current deadlock.
Reiterating that their movement is non-partisan and focused solely on the rightful implementation of the ST status, the Committee warned that continued delays could compel them to revive their earlier “Mahakhumli” agitation or seek divine intervention once more.
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