Delhi’s Tina Dabi Khan’s exceptional performance in 2016, when she topped the All India civil services exam, had earned her plenty of plaudits. But the young achiever had also faced considerable trolling and criticism for abusing the quota system since she had appeared for the prestigious UPSC exams under the reserved category despite having a financially privileged status. Three years later, new IAS topper Kanishak Kataria has found himself placed in a similar predicament.
No sooner was his name announced as the new IAS topper, did the young IIT student begin to face incessant trolling for not going through the general category and leaving the reserved quota for more deserving SC/ST students. Soon, his critics began to draw a parallel between the new topper and Tina.
We all know how Tina Dabi topped. These quota candidates always have an unfair advantage. Shame on our system. Kataria will soon become a bribe taking lazy moron
— Prime86 (@prime861) April 7, 2019
Once again after tina dabi sc topper kanishk kataria.
— RITESH KUMAR رتیش کمار (@kharkadiaritesh) April 5, 2019
Kanishk kataria from Sc category
— Dr.Virendra Jilowa (@jeelujam) April 5, 2019
However, not many were critical of Kanishak as they hailed his achievement. Others also pointed out how Dalits and minorities have been consistently finding their names in the top ten in the UPSC result for several years now. In 2016, when Tina, secured the all India top ranking, Jammu and Kashmir’s Athar Aamir Khan had grabed the second ranking. Tina and Athar later went on to tie the knot and the husband-wife duo are currently serving at the SDM level in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district.
In 2015 I AS topper Tina Dabi and now in 2018 Kanishak Kataria IAS topper both from SC category. 2nd and 3rd from Minorities religions. See who are intelligent in India. Down hate and anti Constitutional mentality.
— R L Pratham (@RLPratham) April 6, 2019
Congrats to Kanishak Kataria,IIT B Grad for Topping UPSC Exam AIR@1and 10 women in Top 25.If opportunities given to Dalits and women they can do wonders in India of Medieval World. .Kudos keep inspiring Tina Dabi and IAS gals.
— Pankaj P Kranti (@PankajKranti) April 6, 2019
Another similarity between Kanishak and Tina being discussed is how the former publicly expressed his love for his girlfriend. While thanking people, who contributed towards his success, Kanishak has also expressed his love and appreciation for his girlfriend.
Tina, despite opposition from Hindutva outfits, had publicly expressed her love for Athar, a Kashmiri Muslim. Unfazed by incessant trolling, she had gone ahead to get married to Athar before adding Khan to her surname. Her social media profile describes her as a ‘proud Kashmiri bahu.’
Tina was one of the first to congratulate this year’s toppers. While Kanishak grabbed the top rank, Rajasthan’s Akshat Jain secured the All India 2nd ranking and Junaid Ahmad was placed at the third position across the country.