Rajasthan boy becomes first non-Muslim to top entrance exam for Master’s course in Islamic studies
Says, he was moved by "Growing Islamophobia" and decided to pursue Islamic studies
Srinagar: A 21-year-old youngster from Rajasthan, Shibham Yadav became the first non-Muslim and non-Kashmir resident to top the all-India entrance exam for a Master’s course in Islamic Studies at the Central University of Kashmir.
Shubham hails from Alwar in Rajasthan and aspires to become a civil servant. He reportedly got curious about Islam after seeing the “growing Islamophobia and religious polarization across the world” ThePrint quoted him as saying.
“Growing Islamophobia and polarisation have made me think that understanding each other’s religion is extremely important in this day and age. Unfortunately, there is a lot of stereotyping of Islam and Islamic studies as well,” Yadav said. “Islamic Studies is not just about the study of Muslims but an exploration of Islamic law and culture.” The report further quoted him.
Shubham on the other hand also believes that his achievement is no big deal. “I have been getting several calls, including from journalists, who thought it was a big deal to crack the entrance exams. It really isn’t. It’s like any other subject dealing with law, culture, and behavior,” said Shubham.
“I believe that, in the future, the administration will need conciliatory mechanisms between Hindus and Muslims, and, for that, the administration will require people with a greater understanding of religion. I would like to be there if that happens,” he added.
Yadav, who completed his graduation in philosophy and is awaiting the results of many other entrance exams, may not take up the Islamic Studies course. His first preference is to pursue law at the prestigious Delhi University. Results for Delhi University’s law program entrance will be declared on 18 November.
“My first preference is to study law but I also want to prepare for UPSC exams in the future. Being at Delhi University is just the right thing to do if one wants to study for civil services,” he said.
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If Bumrah is not fit then a score of around 200 also might not be enough: Gavaskar
Sydney, Jan 4: Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels India will struggle to defend even 200 in case premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unable to bowl at full throttle on the third day of the fifth and final Test against Australia here on Sunday.
Bumrah had left the field for scans during the second day's post-lunch session after bowling just one over, having experienced some discomfort. However, he returned to the dressing room after undergoing precautionary scans for an unspecified niggle.
India pacer Prasidh Krishna said his skipper had suffered back spasm.
The medical team was monitoring him as India ended the day 145 runs in front with four second innings wickets left on a SCG track which is aiding the bowlers.
"Look, if India scores 40 more runs or they put 185 on the board then they have a great chance but it all depends on Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. If Jasprit Bumrah is fit then 145-150 might be enough. But if Bumrah is not fit then a score of around 200 also might not be enough," said Gavaskar on Star Sports on Saturday.
Gavaskar also said maintaining secrecy around Bumrah's status is not going to help the Australians, who have so far struggled to counter the threat posed by the Indian pace spearhead.
"One thing that I liked was when he came back after the scan, obviously it took a lot of time because the hospital is a bit far, but he looked in good shape and his body language was such that there was no indication of the Australian team and it is very important to maintain the secrecy.
"Because, tactically you do not want to announce whether Bumrah will be available for bowling or not, and even if he is not available and this news goes across the opposition dressing room because till now Australian batsmen haven't found out a way to counter him, they don’t know whether they should attack, defend, or whether they should play on front-foot.
"So to execute this plan it is important to maintain secrecy, so Bumrah and the Indian team management managed it quite well," Gavaskar said.
The pacer has already taken 32 wickets in the series, and had figures of 2/33 in 10 overs before leaving the field, having removed Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session and Usman Khawaja on the last ball of the first evening.
