After sloganeering by students, Ashoka University says it deplores hatred against any individual or group

Taking to X, Ashoka University stated, “Ashoka University attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect. The university deplores expressions of hatred directed against any individual or group. Ashoka University’s guidelines on protecting freedom of expression have clearly laid down that such freedom of expression is not unlimited and enjoins respect for the rights and sensibilities of others. This is essential to preserving the spirit of community at Ashoka.”

Intimidating or hostile behaviour towards individuals or groups is a serious offence at the university, said Ashoka University, as it warned students of disciplinary action to maintain peace and harmony on the campus.

Ashoka University attaches great value to freedom of expression and vigorous debate, but it also attaches great importance to mutual respect. The university deplores expressions of hatred directed against any individual or group.

Ashoka University’s Guidelines on Protecting…

— Ashoka University (@AshokaUniv) March 27, 2024

The Indian Express reported on Wednesday about the push by Social Justice Forum, an independent student body, for a caste census and reservation in the university. After this, the university agreed to set up an ‘equal opportunity’ cell.

With regards to the sloganeering on campus, the SJF, in its statement, said, “The NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) data provided on Ashoka University’s official website depicts a severe underrepresentation across SC-ST-OBC students as opposed to their proportion in the national population. However, the university has been advertising itself as diverse and inclusive from its inception.”

“Recently, there have been attempts by right-wing social media handles to distort and divert the motivation of the protest by picking up certain slogans and painting them as vindictive towards an individual community… The most misread slog: “brahminvaad Muradabaad”- “End to Brahmimism”, in reality, is a cry to dismantle the systemic impulses that enable the discriminatory caste system prevalent in India. There is no hatred in this call, it criticises the ideology that sustains casteist foundations and practices. This bias extends beyond Brahmins and can be located across the practices of the castes and classes….” it added.

The SJF further urged the university to dispense with this bias it bears towards specific communities and follow through on the holistic, fair and just admissions process they promise. “We demand that Ashoka with urgency apply reservation targets within its admission process, alongside our aforementioned demands for an annual caste census, an annual Ambedkar memorial lecture and reforms to the late fee payment system,” it added.