Harvard University Asian-American discrimination case begins
Washington, Oct 16: Harvard University lowers its recruiting standards a bit for many students from rural regions, but not for Asian- Americans, to have diversity at its campus, the prestigious varsity's dean of admissions has testified in federal court as he defended the school's race-based admissions.
The dean, William Fitzsimmons, was the first witness to take the stand in a trial on Monday over whether Harvard discriminates against Asian-American applicants in violation of civil rights law.
Fitzsimmons, the longtime dean of the Harvard University since 1986, defended the admission policy of the university. He argued that the school lowers the admission standards a bit for many students from rural region, if they are not Asian Americans. This is to have diversity, he said.
Harvard attorney Bill Lee told the court without weighing a student's race, the university campus would either become much less diverse or less academically excellent. During the ongoing trial, Harvard University defended its holistic admissions process in which it considers race as one of many factors.
"People invited to apply from sparse country are 'unknown', 'other' and 'white', correct? John Hughes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, asked Fitzsimmons.
"Yes," said the dean, who has been in charge of Harvard admissions since 1986.
"Asians are not included in that list? Hughes asked.
"Not in that particular list," Fitzsimmons replied.
The plaintiffs say that the university holds Asian-American applicants to a higher standard than people of other races, and that it resorts to racial balancing to shape its incoming classes.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has opposed the lawsuit and supported Harvard's effort to have diversity in the campus.
"This case is not about educational equity or protecting the educational interests of a particular racial or ethnic group. It is instead just the latest attempt to advance the misguided arguments for race blindness, recycling the tired myth of a post-racial America. If you cannot acknowledge someone's race, you risk not acknowledging them," said Dennis Parker from ACLU's racial justice program.
The number of Asian-American students at Harvard has remained at 20 per cent for years, while the number of those applicants from this segment of the society has increased significantly.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BS Yediyurappa appeals to MLA Yatnal's group to work unitedly to strengthen party
Bengaluru, Nov 26: With a group of Karnataka BJP leaders led by Bijapur MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal holding a parallel agitation over the waqf issue, veteran party leader B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday accused them of doing it because of their "self-conceit", and appealed them to work unitedly to strengthen the party.
The former Karnataka chief minister also said that everyone should take the responsibility for the party's defeat in the Assembly bypolls for three segments, even as the BJP's performance is being seen as a "setback" for his son and state president B Y Vijayendra.
"State president B Y Vijayendra has appealed to Basangouda Patil Yatnal and others to stop protesting separately, and work with us unitedly. Despite this, because of their self-conceit, they are doing such things. It is not right on their part," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I appeal to them at least now to come forward and cooperate to strengthen the party together."
When told that they are not willing to work unitedly with the state's current leadership of the party and whether he will bring it to the notice of the high command, Yediyurappa said, "We will do our duty. The rest is left to them and central leadership...high command knows everything. Let's see what they will do."
Yatnal-led group include BJP MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi, B P Harish, and former lawmakers Aravind Limbavali, Kumar Bangarappa and G M Siddeshwara and others.
The leaders, who had stayed away from the protest recently held by the party on the Waqf issue, on Monday held a parallel agitation over the issue in Bidar. Today, they are in Kalaburagi district.
Yatnal and Jarkiholi have been openly critical of Vijayendra, accusing him of indulging in "adjustment politics" with the ruling Congress, and trying to keep the party in his clutches along with his father Yediyurappa.
Noting that the party had faced a setback in the bypolls for Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna, Yediyurappa said, "We accept that. What shortcomings were being discussed in the party. It should be ensured that such things don't repeat."
To a question whether the bypoll loss is being seen as a setback to his son Vijayendra, he said, "It is not a question of Vijayendra or Yediyurappa. The loss in all the three seats is a setback for us (party). Everyone should take the responsibility and see to it that such things don't repeat."
