JASMEET SINGH Vs. VICE CHANCELLOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners who are seeking admission to B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. courses in the Panjab University, Chandigarh, have challenged the action of the respondents requiring these petitioner-students to take Punjabi as compulsory subject in their graduation in furtherance of the resolution passed by the Academic Council dated 29.5.1995. At the outset it will be relevant to refer to Annexure P/2 annexed to the petition, which is a letter dated 24.6.1995 and contains the decision of the Syndicate of the University dated 1.6.1995 and the decision of the Academic Council dated 29.5.1995:

(2.) Based on this letter the contention of learned counsel for the petitioners is that the petitioners have studied in the schools situated in Union Territory of Chandigarh from 1st Class to 12th Class and they are domiciles/residents of Union Territory, Chandigarh. They had not taken up Punjabi as a subject from 1st to 12th standard. They have taken admission in D.A.V. College, Sector 10, Chandigarh. It is submitted that most of the students like the petitioner who are studying in the schools run by the Education Department at Chandigarh did not opt Punjabi as a subject after 10th class and, therefore, (sic) given exemption by the University and they were not required to take up Punjabi as a compulsory subject.

(3.) On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing for the University has relied upon the letter dated 24.6.1995 Annexure P/2 to contend that the petitioners are not covered under clause (ii) and they are also hit by the explanation contained in the letter. According to him clause (ii) has two pre-conditions that the students are not domiciles of Punjab and have not studied Punjabi upto Class 10th i.e. Matric and they cannot be given the benefit of the exceptions provided in this letter.