Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar writes to LSE, requests safety of Haryana student who faced ‘discrimination’
Karan Kataria, who is from Haryana and is studying for a postgraduate law degree at the leading university in London, said he was motivated by the support of his peers to contest the post of General Secretary of the LSE Students’ Union.
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Kataria was disqualified last week over what he believes are baseless allegations and without being given a chance to fully state his case. (Twitter/@karanatLSE) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar wrote to London School of Economics (LSE), requesting the institute to “ensure Karan Kataria’s safety” and “protect him from discrimination on account of his beliefs or race”.
Karan Kataria, who is from Haryana and is studying for a postgraduate law degree at the leading university in London, said he was motivated by the support of his peers to contest the post of General Secretary of the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU). However, he was disqualified last week over what he believes are baseless allegations and without being given a chance to fully state his case. “Unfortunately, some individuals could not bear to see an Indian-Hindu leading the LSESU and resorted to vilifying my character and very identity in what was clearly in line with the alarming cancel culture which is uprooting our social communities,” Kataria had said.
Karan’s mother and sister had met Khattar after which he wrote to LSE and also got a response from the institute that has assured speedy investigation into the concerns raised by the CM.
LSE, in its reply, to the CM mentioned that Kataria was disqualified from contesting the elections of students union of LSE “for breaking election rules”, and the institute “understands an external review of the election proceedings will take place in due course”.
Khattar, in his letter written on April 5 to Eric Neumayer, LSE president and vice-chancellor-elect (interim), wrote, “I have been informed that Karan Kataria, a post graduate student in Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science is facing discrimination and harassment in the institute. I have been informed that Kataria was disqualified from elections to the post of General Secretary of London School of Economics Student’s Union. I have been informed that this disqualification was not substantiated with reasons and was instead due to discrimination on account of race and beliefs. I could sense that his mother was in severe mental distress when his mother and sister came to meet me.”
Khattar added, “I am concerned that this incident and its outcome will affect his studies. Kataria is a brilliant student as evidenced by his admission to your prestigious institute. Due to the recent events, he has been feeling unsafe within the campus. In such a situation, it is necessary that the administration steps in and takes care of his safety and well-being. I believe every student needs a safe, secure and intellectually challenging environment free from discrimination and it is the duty of the institute to provide such an environment to him. May I request you to look into this matter and kindly ensure Kataria’s safety and protect him from discrimination on account of his beliefs or race.”
Replying to Khattar’s letter, Neumayer wrote, “At the outset, I want to state categorically that bullying, discrimination and harassment are completely unacceptable, and that LSE is committed to robustly and swiftly investigating and tackling any instances of such. We are aware of the reports that you raise in your letter, and we are investigating them. LSE is totally committed to ensuring safety and security of our students. With regards to specific concerns raised about the election, this was run by the LSE Students Union (SU), the organisation run by students for students. The SU has informed us that a candidate was disqualified for breaking election rules, and we understand an external review of the election proceedings will take place in due course.”
Neumayer added that they will continue to monitor the situation closely and offer support wherever needed. “Please be assured that we take Kataria’s well being and other students with the utmost seriousness,” Neumayer wrote.
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