• Students tense, colleges in the dark on 70:30  •

Mumbai Edition, 11th July 2008

Mumbai: Uncertainty and tension continued at many Mumbai junior colleges on Thursday, a day after the Bombay high court stayed admissions over the controversial 70:30 district quota introduced by the education department.

Parents and students who had made it to the third merit lists showed up at several colleges as early as 8.30 am asking that their fees be accepted and admissions finalised, but the college authorities turned them away citing the court order.

Principals are worried about how the delay will impact the academic calendar as most colleges are expected to begin classes early next week. While several principals said that they would wait and watch, St Xavier’s has decided to go ahead with its scheduled orientation on Monday. One college even speculated on the possibility of holding classes during the Diwali holidays.