Bengaluru: The winning of a gold medal(s) has long been a sign of prestige and honour for scholars all over. It not only validates the achievements and hard work of the scholars, but also serves as a trophy.

It would be counter-intuitive then, to ask the winners of the gold medals to pay for them, which is what the Bangalore University is now asking the winning scholars to do.

They have been asked, according to a notification issued by the university, to pay not only for their gold medal, but also for the rank certificates. The notification also asks them to make the payment of Rs 500 in the form of a demand draft (DD), in favour of the Finance Officer of the Bangalore University. A list of gold medalists has been sent to the concerned colleges and asks them to collect the money from the scholars listed.

The scholars have obviously not taken too kindly to the notification. Who can blame them? Asking someone to pay for something that they have not just earned, but deserve, is equivallent to a slap on the face. The students said that they find this “insulting”.

Many feel disappointed as the very act of having to pay for your own medal reduces its importance to that of a cheap trinket.

One student’s parents have asked him not to pay for the medal as it would serve as an “insult” to all his hard work.

The University authorities have now said that they would reconsider the decision.