In 1991, Punjab was engulfed in turmoil, uncertainty, and fear, which opportunistic elements exploited on college and university campuses. A university's highly coveted MBA programme had only 20 seats. Initially placed third on the waiting list, the writer's fortune turned when the two candidates ahead opted out, clearing his path to admission.
Joy Turns to Confrontation
However, joy was short-lived. A faction of influential students had set their sights on a candidate further down the list. Rumours suggested that deep pockets and political muscle were at play to secure his spot. By stepping up to claim what was rightfully his, the writer unwittingly disrupted a well-oiled machine.
The day he went to deposit his admission fee, a hostile crowd of nearly 70 students cornered him. He had only two friends by his side. Initially, the instigators tried sweet-talking him into backing out. When he stood firm, persuasion gave way to outright bullying, threats, and intimidation. They demanded he forfeit his seat, making it clear that defiance would come at a heavy price. Fearing for his safety, his resolve cracked, and he signed a withdrawal statement despite having already paid the fee.
Regret and a Fight for Justice
For the next few days, that decision tore him apart. The more he reflected, the more the injustice stung. He had been bullied into surrendering something earned through sheer merit. Giving up meant throwing away years of sacrifice. He gathered a few trusted friends and took up his case with the Vice-Chancellor, who listened patiently and assured him that justice would prevail, advising him only to keep a low profile.
He quietly slipped back into classes. When the bullies caught wind of his return, they tried to corner him again. This time, he stood his ground. Respectfully yet firmly, he told them point-blank that he would not surrender a seat he had earned fair and square.
Emotional Turmoil and Resilience
The weeks that followed were an emotional rollercoaster. Looking over his shoulder became second nature. He stayed in different hostel rooms every night, constantly on high alert. Yet, despite the knot of fear in his stomach, he refused to back down. Realising that he wouldn't bend, the intimidation faded. Shortly afterwards, the Dean of Academic Affairs invited him to his office for a cup of tea, full of praise for his resilience.
He held on to his admission and successfully completed his MBA. Looking back, that wasn't just a battle for a seat; it was a defining fight for self-respect and the principle that merit should never bow to might. That ordeal taught him a lesson that has stayed with him for a lifetime: when you earn an opportunity through hard work, never lay it down at the feet of fear.
The writer works at All India Radio, Jalandhar.
