Murder of Merit: Maharashtra PG medical aspirants continue protest against Maratha, EWS reservation

The reservation of Maratha and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quotas has created a stir in the PG medical admission process.

Mumbai: "An open category student with a rank of 4411 could not get a seat of his speciality choice anywhere in the state, whereas a reserved category student with a rank of 36796 got one in the orthopaedic branch in KEM Hospital. How is this fair?" lamented the meritorious MBBS passouts, who recently staged a protest at the Sion Hospital.

Over 350 MBBS doctors along with parents protested against the reservation of Maratha and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quotas.

As of now, in Maharashtra, 50 % of medical seats in government-run medical colleges are for reserved category (SC/ST/OBC/ VJNT). Out of the other 50% which is known as the open category; 14% of seats go to Persons with Disability (PwD), defence and other quotas. There is also a special quota (depending on eligible candidates) for students from the reserved categories who are eligible for an open quota seat based on their scores, ranging from 3%-5%.

In addition, with the earlier announcement that educational institutions will offer the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota in the general category, 10% has been fixed for medical students related to EWS category.

On November 30 last year, the Maharashtra Legislature passed a bill proposing 16 per cent reservation in education and government jobs for the Marathas, declared Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) by the government and hence it decided to grant them the reservation.

Further, the implementation of 16% Maratha quota was done which left a meagre 5 % for candidates vying medical admission on merit basis.

This "policy" indeed created a stir in the PG medical admission process. The medical students, who can only take admission via merit, are anxious since there is, evidently, tough competition in medical admissions and with over 16 % quota gulping over the merit quota, the competition has become tougher than ever.

Noting the meagre percentage of seats, the PG medical aspirants had filed various petitions with the HC, which after considering the number of pleas had earlier directed that no admission will take place until the court announces order regarding the implementation.

The petitioners, in their pleas challenging the quota, had said that no state government could exceed the 50 per cent mark in reservations. With the Maratha quota, the total reservation in education in Maharashtra under various heads stands at 68 per cent, way above the Supreme Court-fixed limit.

Read Also: Where is the Merit in PG Medical Admissions? With Maratha quota in place, Medicos to again approach HC

During the course of hearing since weeks, the government maintained before the HC that the Maratha quota and creation of the new category was legal and valid.

Two weeks ago, the HC reserved its judgement on the matter which will be out soon.

However, with the admission process going on, the SEBC and EWS reservation are troubling meritorious PG medical candidates.

Upset with the same, over 350 MBBS doctors and their parents gathered and protested at the Sion Hospital recently, as per TOI.

Talking to Hindu, a PG medical aspirant said, "The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing in May. The admission process has already begun, and no seats will be left by then."

During the protest, the upset MBBS passouts asked as to how is it fair that a meritorious candidate who secured rank in the first merit list did not get admission in any government college whereas a candidate belonging from a reserved category secured admission despite having low score.

Read Also: Maratha quota in Medical Admissions: Bombay HC to reach conclusion

The medicos also alleged that the quotas reservation is just a gimmick for the upcoming elections.

"When the Centre refused to introduce EWS quota till the seats were not increased, why have the state introduced SEBC and EWS quota for PG medical admissions? We feel this is a political stunt to gain votes this election. We will continue protesting till the government takes some decision," one protesting medico alleged while talking to DNA.

The medicos have also arranged a candlelight march at Sasson Hospital today at 6 PM.

Meanwhile, the PG medical aspirants have started a media campaign with hashtags #murderofmerit and #doctoryoudeserve against the reservations which have surpassed the 50 per cent quota in the PG medical admission process. Via their tweets, the medicos are approaching the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra CM Fadanavis and other top government authorities.