Students appearing for final examinations being conducted by University of Rajasthan found themselves at the receiving end of the bandh called by several Dalit organisations on Monday.What has added to the agony of many students is the fact that they will have to appear for exam the next year for they failed to make it to the centre on time.

Several students, who were suppose to write the exam during the time slot from 11am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm, found it difficult to reach the venue on time as the transport services were hit. Subsequently, as they reached late, they were not allowed to sit for the exam.

“I boarded a bus to reach the examination centre for the exam to be held from 3pm to 6pm, but the bus driver asked me to get down midway as the protest was going on. My centre falls on the JLN Marg, where there is a huge unrest. I, then, had to run for 15 minutes to reach the venue, but was denied entry as I was late by 20 minutes,” said Muhammad Aslam, a second year history student.

Students coming from outskirts of the city found it even more difficult as the buses weren’t plying according to the timetable.

“I received calls from my friends who were suppose to come from Sikar to Jaipur to give the exam, but couldn’t come because the buses weren’t available. Several students went home without giving exam during the morning session,” said a fourth year student.

The situation was similar in case of invigilators as many of them couldn’t reach the centres on time.

At a few centres, students were given a leeway.“Some of our invigilators reached about two hours late. Also, teachers belonging to the minorities chose to skip coming to work as they felt it was time to serve their community. Students coming 15 to 20 minutes late were also allowed to appear for the examination,” said a principal of a city-based government college who wished not to be named.

University controller of examination, VK Gupta, was not available for comment.

X BOARD: PARENTS TO THE RESCUE

CBSE 10th standard also had French and Sanskrit examination on Monday morning. Parents chose to drop their wards to the venue themselves instead of relying on autos and vans. Schools also took extra precautions as teachers were seen standing on the gates while students left the venue. The wards were handed-over to the parents and guardians after verification.