Why All Administrative Posts at Gujarat's Birsa Munda Tribal University Reserved for General Category? Tribal Army Raises Questions

Narmada/Gujarat- A major controversy has erupted over recruitment practices at Gujarat's Birsa Munda Tribal University in Rajpipla. The institution, which was established in 2014 specifically to promote tribal education and development, recently advertised 15 administrative positions - but shockingly reserved all vacancies exclusively for General Category candidates, completely ignoring mandated quotas for SC, ST and OBC communities.

The university's January 10, 2025 recruitment notification for posts including Technical Assistant, System Manager and Junior Clerk has drawn sharp criticism from tribal rights organizations. The Tribal Army group blasted the move on social media, calling it "a brazen violation of tribal rights" and "systemic injustice" at an institution that ironically bears the name of legendary tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda and receives funding through the Tribal Sub-Plan meant to uplift marginalized communities.

Political leaders have joined the chorus of condemnation. AICC national secretary Subhashini Sharad Yadav questioned why not a single reserved category candidate was considered, demanding transparency and accountability from the university administration. Education activists point out the bitter irony that an institution created to empower tribal students through quality higher education in arts, commerce and science streams is now allegedly shutting out those very communities from employment opportunities.

The controversy highlights growing concerns about the dilution of affirmative action policies in educational institutions across India. As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the university administration to explain why reservation norms appear to have been bypassed in this recruitment drive.

The recruitment practices at Birsa Munda Tribal University appear to directly contradict its foundational objectives as established by the Gujarat government. The university was specifically created under Act-15 of 2017 with the primary mandate of serving tribal communities through equitable growth centers of excellence, as clearly stated in its charter.

Its core mission includes providing higher education opportunities primarily for Gujarat's tribal population and promoting tribal traditions, culture, and economic development. However, the January 2025 recruitment drive reserving all administrative posts exclusively for General Category candidates stands in stark opposition to these principles.

This exclusionary practice raises serious questions about institutional commitment to its own stated goals of tribal empowerment and affirmative action, especially considering the university receives substantial funding from Gujarat's Tribal Development Department and Rs. 10 crore from the Central Government specifically allocated for tribal welfare initiatives under the Tribal Sub-Plan.

The controversy becomes particularly ironic given the university's namesake, Birsa Munda, was a legendary tribal rights activist who fought against systemic oppression of indigenous communities. This recruitment policy not only undermines the university's statutory obligations but also betrays the trust of the tribal communities it was established to serve, potentially jeopardizing its credibility as an institution dedicated to social justice and inclusive development.

The Mooknayak has reached out to university officials for their response, and the report would be updated later on. This developing story raises fundamental questions about social justice and equal opportunity in India's education system.