Shashi Tharoor slams JMI for dropping Thiruvananthapuram as exam centre

Panaji: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has criticised Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) for removing Thiruvananthapuram, the only entrance test centre in South India, from its list of exam locations.

Taking to social media platform X, Tharoor expressed his disappointment, stating, "Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) has removed Thiruvananthapuram from its list of entrance test centres. And it was the only such centre in South India! The city, moreover, witnessed at least 550 students taking the exams. An inexplicable decision: Has JMI decided it doesn't want South Indian students?"

A ‘short-sighted’ move

Speaking to the media on Friday, Tharoor termed the decision as "short-sighted" and revealed that he would formally object to the move in a letter to the JMI vice-chancellor.

"I am disappointed by the decision of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) to cancel the only examination centre they have in the South, which happens to be in Thiruvananthapuram. It makes absolutely no sense. No explanation has been given to anybody, least of all the students. We had about 550 students taking the exam last year in Thiruvananthapuram. Where will this year's students go? And unless JMI has decided they don't want students from the South, this is an extremely short-sighted decision. I'm writing to the vice-chancellor of Jamia to object strongly. I've also gone public on this, and I really think that this kind of thing has to change," he said.

‘Think of the country as one’

Tharoor further emphasised the need for a united approach to education, urging institutions to consider students from all regions of the country.

"We have to be really thinking of ourselves as one country and not just remain in our own little regions and not pay attention to the rest of the country. There are a lot of people with aspirations in the South who would like to come and study in Jamia. Give them a chance..." he stated.

The removal of the Thiruvananthapuram exam centre has sparked concerns about accessibility for South Indian students, with many now waiting for a response from JMI regarding the rationale behind this decision.

ANI