Is Biometric Attendance The Modern Method of Dalit Discrimination?

Biometric attendance system installed by a college in Punjab for SC students raises controversy over untouchability.

Lajpat Rai DAV college install biometric attendance for scholarship seeking SC ST students. (Photo Courtesy: ANI screengrab/ Modified by The Quint)

Dalit students alleged that the authorities at Lajpat Rai DAV college have installed a biometric attendance system specially for the students belonging to Dalit communities. The event has triggered controversy in the institution as the student took to the streets to protest against the discrimination.

This system is renewing untouchability with modern technology. They are discriminating against us.

Sant Singh, Student

The education board has made it mandatory for SC/ST/OBC students, who availed scholarships, to mark their attendance through the new biometric system. The instructions are meant for all government and government-aided colleges to avoid dummy admissions which lead to misuse of the funds allocated in scholarships. The students who will not meet the criteria will not be allocated the scholarship funds.

The education board had instructed us to instal this attendance system.

Dr Kartan Sharma, Principal Lajpat Rai DAV College

The college has written to the education board to listen to the demands of the affected students and are waiting for its response.

Till then the system has been put on hold and attendance is being marked on registers in the old fashion way.

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam