MA student suspended by Ambedkar university: AISA activists, professors protest in front of V-C’s office

On March 21, the administration suspended the student following an order by the varsity’s Proctorial Board. It cited “indiscipline” and the use of “derogative and disrespectful language against the Head of the Institution” to be the cause for the suspension. The student, in an official university email facility, criticised the V-C for her speech on Republic Day this year.

The student, who is also an AISA activist, has been suspended for six months (full winter semester) and barred from entering the campus during this period.

In her Republic Day speech at the varsity, the V-C had mentioned the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, stating that the issue is 525 years old and not a new issue. She applauded the state for the establishment of the temple (Ram Mandir) and called for Dr B R Ambedkar to be a national figure instead of being only for the Dalit community.

When contacted, V-C Anu Singh Lather had referred to the administration’s statement and said she stood by what she said in the speech.

Speaking to The Indian Express on Sunday, the suspended student had said the action taken by the administration is representative of a “larger and sustained attack” on the academic and democratic spirit of AUD.

During the day on Monday, the protesting students, who marched from the canteen to the V-C’s office, blamed the V-C for not meeting them and blocking them with barricading instead.

The protesting students in a statement reiterated their demands which included immediate revocation of the student’s suspension as well as a public apology from the V-C for her speech and “harassment meted out through her (student’s) suspension”.

Saiyed, AISA Secretary at AUD, said the administration in a “calculated way… has repeatedly targeted progressive voices and student activists on campus”.

There was also a public meeting called by the students’ group at the protest site. Dr Kaustav Banerjee, professor at the School of Global Affairs, said, “… A university is a place where everything should be questioned. But if students are being punished for asking questions, then we are all under attack…”

Following the protests, a source at the university said: “In such a matter, the decision of the proctorial board is final. The administration cannot consider the demands of the protesting students since the decision-making body is the board.”

As of Monday night, students were still protesting, and a large police force was deployed to the site. The crowd eventually dispersed at night after the students submitted a memorandum outlining their demands.Their request was to allow a delegation to accompany the suspended student for the meeting scheduled on Wednesday.