Jaipur: Students at Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University (MDSU) in Ajmer have been protesting for almost a week over alleged discrepancies in the marking scheme of this year’s first-semester exams, results for which were released last week.The students reported that some individuals were marked as absent when the results were declared, despite having appeared for the exams. They also alleged that their answer sheets were not thoroughly checked, resulting in incorrect marks being awarded.“I secured 80 in Botany and 75 in Zoology, but in Chemistry, I was given 2 marks. How is that even possible when I am scoring well in two subjects, but the performance in the third subject is so poor?” said Sania Sharma from Bhilwara, a student of MDSU.Students said that these errors are mostly being reported from students studying in colleges affiliated with the university in other cities.NSUI functionaries from Ajmer have demanded an inquiry into the result errors and closure of the semester system. Meanwhile, ABVP alleged that this is a way of earning additional money as students will have to apply for revaluation or retotaling of answer sheets.“I was present in the exam and even signed the attendance sheet, gave the exam for three hours, but when the result was declared, it showed that I was absent. I come from a rural area, and with absence mentioned in my results, my parents are now questioning where I was during the exam. How do I explain to them that this is not my fault?” said another girl from Bhilwara, who did not wish to be named.NSUI functionary Jaber Khan said, “Till now, the university has not taken any proper action in the semester results. This has caused resentment among the students. The exam results should be investigated impartially, and action should be taken against those guilty.”With students protesting daily at the university, Monday, Vice-Chancellor Prof SK Agarwal met the students, took a memorandum with demands from the students, and assured them that the university will work only in the interest of the students. He further said that students’ complaints will be investigated.
