The Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) defended its decision to suspend five more students, saying that the action was taken after protesters allegedly sabotage government vehicles and obstructed the university’s functioning.
Registrar Navendra Kumar Singh told ‘PTI-Bhasha’ that the students protesting against the disciplinary action taken in the past stopped the car of his and Vice Chancellor Anu Singh Lather on Friday.
Singh said, “They stood in front of my vehicle and did not let it move forward. He also stopped the Vice Chancellor’s car and vandalized my car. Security personnel and police had to intervene. A formal complaint has been filed and an FIR will be lodged.
The Left student organization Students Federation of India (SFI), who is leading the protest, dismissed the allegations and described the administration’s action as “arbitrary and repressive”. The university administration said that the suspended students “attempted the discharge of official duties, attempted attacks and endanger the workers of the campus.”
The suspended students include Sharanya Verma (Students Union Treasurer), Shubhojit De (PhD student), Shefali (SFI AUD Secretary), Kirtan and Ajay. The incident took place after the ongoing protests demanding the cancellation of order to be suspended on March 5, three students-Ann, Harsha and Nadia-Ko on March 5. Anan, Harsh and Nadia were suspended for allegedly politicizing the case involving suicide attempt by a first year student.
Singh said, “The original suspension order was given due to a statement issued in the press. The statement was distorted by distorting the facts and an attempt was made to give political color to a sensitive issue. “The SFI issued a statement accusing the university of” suppressing the voice of disagreement “. He also alleged that security personnel and police “abused, touched them and attacked them.”
University officials said that such agitation should not obstruct the functioning of the campus or the safety of employees and students should not be threatened. The SFI dismissed the allegations of sabotage and violence and claimed that this was not the only incident of harassing the students.
The organization claimed that the students raised their concerns before the press due to the “inaction” of the administration in previous cases of attack and harassment. On March 5, three AUD students were suspended. The SFI alleged that these students were targeted because they raised their voice against the incident of harassing the student on the campus.
The student organization claimed that he was constantly trying to talk to the Vice Chancellor, but he did not meet him. He said that a petition challenging the suspension of students was filed in the case “Anan Bijo and ORS vs Dr. BR Ambedkar University Delhi” and a hearing was held in the Delhi High Court on 1 April 2025.
The SFI claimed that the administration had sought more time and the next hearing was held on 8 April 2025. The organization said that the administration had said during the court hearing that it was considering the request of the students against the suspension, but no information has been received so far.
The SFI claimed that the court’s order of April 8 stated that the administration lawyers have confirmed that “the petitioners have also filed an appeal against their suspension action and the said appeal is being actively considered.”
The organization said that despite the case being under consideration in the court, the university administration has ignored the students’ efforts to meet the Vice Chancellor since the commencement of suspension in March.
The SFI denied any kind of sabotage or violence and said that the registrar was not harmed. He accused the registrar of trying to crush a student and claimed that “the wheel of the car was just six inches away from his neck.”
The organization alleged that the administration aims to delay the case and suppress the protesting students, causing damage to their educational career. However, university officials said that such agitation should not obstruct the functioning of the campus or the safety of employees and students should not be threatened.
A senior management official said, “The university administration is ready for talks, but threatening or violence in the name of protest cannot be tolerated.” The AUD administration is adamant on its decision, while the SFI has pledged to continue the protests until the suspension of all eight students is canceled.
