Tanaya Thakur, aspiring Law student challenges CLAT : An Interview

‘Class 12 student challenges common law entrance test in High Court‘ and ‘Allahabad HC to hear CLAT case against NLU Jodhpur’ were the headlines running on different tabloids and news channels. A writ petition filed by sixteen year old law aspirant, Tanaya Thakur, through her mother, has sought to cancel the Common Law Admission Test, 2012 (CLAT) and hold a fresh CLAT. The petition, which also seeks a stay on the declaration of the results, has been filed before the Allahabad High Court. Many wondered how a class 12 student got the courage to take such a big step against the conventional system which many students accept without complaining, not because they are satisfied with the system but they know that their future depends entirely upon this system, no matter how good or bad it is and the authorities take full advantage of this. Here comes Tanaya Thakur as the ray of hope for many students.Tanaya Thakur comes from a very renowned background, her father is an IPS officer whereas her mother is a social activist.

The TIF team interviewed Tanaya Thakur on taking this step. Excerpts below.

TIF: The CLAT syllabus is itself a vast one. When questions are asked beyond such a syllabus, is it to test the student’s knowledge beyond syllabus or do you think it is because the CLAT qs paper framers simply chose to ignore the syllabus?

Tanaya : What I feel is that if the CLAT authorities wanted to test the students’ knowledge beyond the syllabus, they should not have mentioned that questions other than from the prescribed course would NOT be asked. When they said that the scope of the paper would be strictly limited to the given syllabus, any change in the pattern shows that the syllabus was simply ignored and considered unimportant.

TIF: Apart from the points mentioned in the petition, do you think there are more loopholes in the conduct of the examination? Please elaborate.

Tanaya : There are other loopholes in the examination process. For e.g.:- After the results were declared the students complained that their choice of college was not taken into account and students who had lower ranks got better colleges than what they did.

TIF: As a student who wishes to pursue law, do you wish to take up similar issues in the education field when you start practising?

Tanaya : I would love to take up similar issues even after I become a lawyer and start practicing

TIF: Today, when many exams in India are witnessing changes like instead of IIT JEE and AIEEE now there will be a common exam; do you think they are being done for the better or is it only worsening matters?

Tanaya : According to me the changes are only for the worse. Over the year the examination pattern has been simplified for the students. Earlier there were some subjective questions in the JEE, it was done away with in favor of all objective questions. Now the new pattern of taking XII scores in account is being talked about. It is a fact that most of the students who score 95+ in boards don’t manage to crack IIT’s. Boards and IIT are two completely different ball games and should not be mixed. There are students from all backgrounds who take JEE, AIEEE and crack them. They might not have exceptional marks in boards but they shine through these competitive exams. New pattern will sabotage this distinct quality of the IIT’s and AIEEE’s.

TIF: Issues like the one you have raised will take some time to be cleared up and students will have to survive in this system only for the coming few years. How do you suggest for CLAT 2013?

Tanaya : I think that instead of being organized by an NLU each year, there should be a separate body which organizes the CLAT exams. This would prevent the confusion which happens every year in the examination. And there would be someone to take the complete responsibility of any mistake which takes place, unlike the passive attitude which is being taken by the various NLU’s.

TIF: Your father is an esteemed IPS officer and your mother is a social activist as well as an author. How have they played a role in your pursuit of dreams?

Tanaya : My parents have been my guiding force and have always corrected my mistakes. They have been the ones who have taught me to think differently from the masses and dream big.

TIF: As a part of the bright youth of the country, there must be many more issues you have in mind that constantly urge you to get up and do
something about them. Would you like to share some thoughts?

Tanaya : One issue I am very much concerned about is corruption. Our nation is one of the most corrupt in the world. The public loves to blame the politicians and the government officials for it; but fails to acknowledge their own role. It is important for the people to take their stand. If they want corruption to be stopped they need to stop paying bribes to get their works done. If everyone comes together and jointly refuses to comply with the demands of politicians and bureaucrats, the problem of corruption will automatically lessen. Also our country is ridden with superstitious beliefs and faiths. I would urge the youth to think rationally and scientifically and not fall prey to such unfounded things.

TIF: Thank you very much for talking to us Tanaya

Tanaya: Anytime!

Complete petition

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• Compare CLAT vs IIT
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