Students suspended for reporting bullying incident: SFI AUF

A month since Ambedkar University Delhi took action against students after an incident of bullying of a female student, three students who were involved in reporting the case, and were suspended for “spreading false propaganda” held a press conference on Saturday, saying that some of the accused have been allowed back on campus, whereas they have still not.

The students have also approached the Delhi High Court over the suspensions. Some were affiliated with Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which last month won most of the student council posts in the university. They had alleged that the accused were members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). SFI said in a statement, “The three students in question raised this issue with the university administration and demanded strict action against the perpetrators. In a shocking turn, the administration not only suspended the accused bullies but also handed two-semester suspensions to the three students who brought the matter to light, citing charges of ‘tarnishing the name of the University.’” A parent of one of the students told The Hindu, “The students who spoke about the incident were suspended along with the incident. This is a clear case of shooting the messenger. Reportedly, some of the accused are back on campus while my daughter’s pleas were paid no heed by university authorities.” According to the students, 11 were suspended over the issue. University officials have not confirmed this number or confirmed whether some of them have been revoked. The SFI also said that their members got year-long suspensions whereas the punishment of the accused students, ranges from six months to one year.