HYDERABAD: A month after 10 students of University of Hyderabad were suspended by the varsity administration, the Executive Council (EC) too found the students guilty and upheld the suspension, albeit, with a reduced quantum of punishment for seven students. Regardless of the term of suspension, all 10 students, would not be entitled to hostel facility even on resumption of their studies.,It has dealt a major blow to students, several of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
In a communique issued to students on Thursday by EC, the suspension of Pratyush Nirjher, Athira Unni V and Sganik Saha’s for two years from academics and hostels has been left unchanged while the suspension of the remaining seven have been reduced from six months to six weeks. The students were suspended following an inspection of the hostel on November 3 during which officials found a woman student in men’s hostel. The administration alleged that the students had abused the staff and prevented them from discharging their duties.
“There is an all-party meeting on Friday, where we will discuss the strategy we need to adopt. Though the suspension of seven students has been reduced to six weeks, we feel the punishment for other three students is very harsh,” said Vyshakh T, a student.The suspended students have stated that the allegations against them are “baseless” and “manipulated”.
Fight will continue
However, the students’ union said that their demand for immediate and total revocation of the suspension will continue. Arif Ahmmed, general secretary of the students’ union said, “With the university closed till Jan 2, we will utilise the time to mobilise the students.”
What UoH says?
Justifying the suspension, UoH in a statement said “it becomes responsibility of the institution to provide an atmosphere where men and women study and work together harmoniously....No university in the world functions without a code of conduct for its students.”