New Delhi, India: In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has directed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to offer free hostel accommodation to Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, a visually impaired student pursuing a Master’s degree in Sociology.
The court emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusion within educational institutions.
Background:
Mishra had been residing in a JNU hostel room. However, in November 2022, he was evicted due to a university policy that barred students pursuing a second postgraduate degree from availing hostel facilities.
Fighting for Equal Access:
Challenging this policy, Mishra argued that it discriminated against him and violated his right to education as a differently-abled individual. The court agreed with his arguments.
Court’s Ruling:
The High Court, upholding Mishra’s claims, highlighted the following points:
- The policy barring students from availing hostels based on the number of postgraduate degrees pursued was discriminatory and lacked legal justification.
- On-campus accommodation is essential for visually challenged students due to the accessibility challenges they might face in alternative arrangements.
The court ordered JNU to provide Mishra with:
- Free hostel accommodation within one week of the judgment’s pronouncement.
- All other entitlements applicable to differently-abled students on campus, until he completes his Master’s degree program.
Significance and Moving Forward:
This verdict is a significant step towards promoting inclusion and accessibility within educational institutions for students with disabilities. It establishes a legal precedent that could benefit similar cases in the future.
JNU is now obligated to comply with the court’s order, potentially prompting a review of existing hostel policies to ensure they are fair and inclusive for all students.