NE still far from Delhi!

North East still remains a distant place for a section Delhities even after so much alleged hue and cry of the racial discrimination. This has, beyond doubt, proved again when a group comprising a teacher and students from Guwahati were disallowed from visiting the Taj Mahal recently.

Talking to Assam Times, Jacob Islary said that he and his students were not allowed for an entry into the heritage place during the recent educational tour from Assam Don Bosco University in Guwahati.

According to the varsity faculty member, they were prevented at the gates raising doubts over the nationality and asked for valid documents. But the gate officials refused to accept the student identity cards. “What was more bizarre was the non acceptance of the Scheduled Tribe Certificates of a few students who do not have other government cards,” said the assistant professor.

‘It was a humiliating experience for all of us. Some of the students do not have government identity cards but have other documents - like the Caste Certificate given by competent government authority but they were not accepted. What was even more humiliating was an access to entry given to a few students only after answering a few interview questions posed by a security guard at the entry gate. I hope that the Archaeological Survey of India educates its staff on realities of diversity in India’ said Mr. Jacob Islary from Agra who is still with the team of students.

Mr Jacob Islary was himself allowed entry to Taj Mahal only after he demanded for a written explanation from the staff for reasons on denial of entry.