Dalit teen’s IIT dream: My life is back on track now, says student after SC order

“I have no words to describe the immense joy I am feeling. Trust me, I can’t express even 1% of the happiness I am feeling. Everyone is delighted…,” said Atul’s father Rajendra Kumar. The father, son from Titora village in Muzaffarnagar had been camping in Delhi for the court verdict.

The SC also directed that Atul be admitted in the same batch that he was selected for and be provided with all the benefits, including hostel allotment, that he was entitled to.

Both Atul and Rajendra were present on the Supreme Court premises when the verdict was delivered. Since only one pass was issued, Atul went inside the courtroom while his father anxiously waited outside.

“I will do anything for my child. I am planning on taking an education loan from a bank. Seeing the smile on my son’s face after the verdict meant everything to me,” said Rajendra.

Collecting Rs17,500 for his son’s admission was a gargantuan task, said the father. He said he initially asked a local moneylender, who agreed to give the funds but backed out at the last minute, leaving him with only five hours to collect the sum.

Rajendra’s friend Titu ‘bhai’ lent him Rs 10,000, another friend, Ompal, gave him Rs 4,000. He withdrew the remaining Rs 3,500 from his own account.

“I want to thank the CJI and my lawyers Amol Chitale, Pragya Baghel and everyone else who came out to support me,” said Rajendra. “Multiple people have reached out to us and offered help to pay the fees,” he said.

Atul is the youngest of Rajendra’s four sons, all of whom are excelling academically. Mohit, 24, the eldest son of Rajendra and Rajesh Devi, is pursuing BTech in computer science from National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur. Their second son, Rohit, 22, is studying chemical engineering at IIT Kharagpur. His third son Amit, 20, is pursuing his graduation in Hindi from Shri Kund Kund Jain Inter College in Khatoli, Muzaffarnagar. Rajendra had to sell a house to fund the education of his eldest son, he said.

“I feel very happy that my hard work has paid off,” said Atul.

On June 9, when JEE (Advanced) results were declared, Atul’s family had distributed ladoos in the village. “I feel the same happiness today that I felt on June 9 on seeing my name among successful candidates,” he said. Rajendra said he will distribute ladoos again in his village.