By Tushar Singh
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court heard Delhi Universitys challenge to the Central Information Commission (CIC) order to disclose the names of all the students who graduated with a BA degree in 1978. This once more brings into the limelight the debate on Narendra Modis educational qualifications. While certain sections of the society believe that PM possibly forging his educational qualification is of big concern and Delhi University should release all the details of the batch of 1978, the year in which Narendra Modi graduated, another section believes that in a country where a degree is not required to become the leader, the debate on Modi’s degree is irrelevant.
May 2016
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and AAP leader Ashutosh alleged that Prime Minister’s BA degree is fake and that it was obtained by a namesake of him from Alwar. The latter addressed a press conference in which he claimed there were a number of discrepancies in his BA Marksheet and MA degree certificates obtained from Delhi University and Gujarat University respectively. AAP also alleged that PM Modi’s name does not match the BA mark sheet and that of the MA degree and even claimed that there were discrepancies in the year of passing as well.
Among other discrepancies were PM Modis degree being digitally printed and using a modern font of the Delhi University logo while documents of other candidates being handwritten and using a simple font to print the logo. However, Delhi University Registrar, Tarun Das claimed that Narendra Modis degree was authentic and said that the discrepancies in names in two marksheets exist in University records as well and that it was difficult to comment on minor errors when questioned why Modi was awarded the degree in 1979 when he graduated in 1978.
December 2016
The CIC directed the Delhi University to facilitate inspection of the relevant register where complete information about the result of all students, who have passed in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in the year 1978 along with roll number, names of students, fathers name and marks obtained. In doing so, it rejected the contention of the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the University that it was a third party personal information, finding “neither merit nor legality” in it.
The CIC had also slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on the CPIO for rejecting an RTI application seeking details of Modis graduate degree.The CPIOs contention was that the information was personal information of third party and the institute held this information of the third party in a fiduciary capacity, hence could not disclose the same to the appellant.
January 2017
On 23 January 2017, the CIC order directing Delhi University to allow the inspection of its records was stayed by the Delhi High Court. The University sought exemption from disclosing the said information under Section 8 (1)(e),(j) and Section 11 of the Act, citing clauses pertaining to privacy and its fiduciary capacity.
March 2017
The controversy continued as Delhi Universitys School of Open Learning (SOL), from where PM Modi is said to have passed out in 1978, said it doesnt have records for that year as these are maintained only for one year.
The hearing resumed without much pomp and show on 16 November 2017. It is still unclear whether Delhi University does not want to disclose the information citing privacy, or simply does not have the records. Whatever the reason may be, if any discrepancy is found in the documents, it will be a big win for the opposition at a very crucial stage in Indian politics.
Featured Image Source: narendramodiofficial on Visual hunt / CC BY-SA