HC allows AU students to choose between 2 novels after dispute

Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Tuesday stepped in to resolve a last-minute syllabus dispute at Amravati University, allowing students to choose between two novels for their upcoming BA examination after a controversial change weeks before the test.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode directed the university to give students option of answering questions on either ‘Te Pannas Divas' or ‘Dhag'," ensuring that those who prepared for the originally prescribed text are not disadvantaged.The dispute arose after the university replaced ‘Te Pannas Divas', which was taught throughout the semester in the second-year Marathi course, with ‘Dhag' through a notification issued on April 4, barely four weeks before the examination. The sudden revision prompted a group of students — Rutik More, Ravindra Bhilwekar, Chetan Patankar, Ritesh Shende and Pratiksha Dhoke — to approach the court, alleging the move was arbitrary and unfair.The petitioners argued that the change left them with insufficient time to prepare and the decision was inconsistent with established academic norms. They also contended that such abrupt revisions run contrary to regulatory guidelines intended to ensure stability in curriculum delivery.During the hearing, the university reached a compromise, suggesting that all students be given a choice between the two novels. Accepting this proposal, the court observed that it adequately safeguarded student interests.The bench directed the university to issue an immediate circular and conduct the examination based on the option selected by each student, effectively restoring academic fairness without delaying the exam schedule.