STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: “The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), as a regulatory body, is expected to uphold principles akin to those of the State. Consequently, any decision, action, or adjudication should align with the fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution, including the right to vote as outlined in Articles 326 to 329. While voting rights may not be classified as fundamental rights per se, they remain a cornerstone of democracy and are safeguarded under the Constitution. Postponing exams not only respects the legal framework surrounding voting rights but also promotes civic engagement and democratic participation, in line with the ethos of our constitutional democracy,” stated ICAI handout.
“The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has gained notoriety for its stringent actions against students, as highlighted by the recent case before the Rajasthan High Court. In a scathing rebuke, the court condemned ICAI for withholding the result of a student simply for expressing criticism against the institute. This egregious act underscores the dangers of allowing an overzealous pursuit of professional excellence to silence student voices. Upholding freedom of speech and fostering a culture of constructive criticism should be fundamental principles upheld by regulatory bodies like ICAI,” it stated.
“If a candidate from Rajouri (Jammu & Kashmir ) exercises her right to vote on her polling date i.e 7th May 2024 and gets free by 4:00 PM. It is impossible for him/her to travel to the nearest exam center i.e Jammu for CA Final Exam on 8th May 2024 which is 187 km away and takes roughly 10 hours in normal conditions. This gets even more difficult during political instability and travel restrictions which are extremely prevalent in Rajouri and other parts of the country during election,” it added.
“Similarly Phase 3 voting on May 7 while CA exam is on May 8 while Phase 4 voting will be held on May 13 while CA exam is on May 14,” it added.