BJP student wing protests against GCAS

Surat: Student activists staged a protest outside Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) on Friday against the Gujarat Common Admission Services (GCAS) system, alleging it has created difficulties for students from poor and tribal backgrounds, especially those living in remote areas.Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) gathered at the university gate demanding that the GCAS system be scrapped this year and that the admission process be returned to universities, as was the practice earlier. Protesters also criticised the Rs 300 admission fee, calling it an unnecessary financial burden on students.ABVP leader Ravi Mangroliya said the organisation had been highlighting flaws in the GCAS system for the past two years but claimed the government had failed to take corrective measures. "All private universities should be included in GCAS to reduce students' admission costs. If that is not done, the system should be abolished," he said.Students alleged that last year the admission process went through 33 rounds, yet several seats remained vacant due to technical and administrative issues. In some cases, admissions were cancelled even after students had started attending classes, leaving many demoralised.The protesters demanded that the admission process be limited to three rounds and that mechanisms be strengthened to address student grievances. They claimed that last year many students could not get their issues resolved and helplines announced by authorities failed to provide timely assistance.During the protest, police detained several ABVP activists. The group later submitted a memorandum at the Collector's office, addressed to the Chief Minister.ABVP leader Yogiraj Laxman warned that if immediate steps were not taken in the interest of students, protests would intensify across campuses and universities in Gujarat.VNSGU currently has around 300 affiliated colleges. Students have also demanded that nine private universities in South Gujarat be included under GCAS.A VNSGU official said the government is expected to complete admissions in three rounds this year, after which the process may be handed back to the respective universities.