HYDERABAD: In what may be called as an attempt to question freedom of expression, the city-based Central varsity English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) is at it once again. The varsity in the last few weeks have issued three show-cause notices to its students demanding explanations for their acts.
While one of the notices was issued to two mess secretaries for serving chicken in the mess on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi, one was issued to a student who criticised government’s ambitious ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ on his Facebook page. The third notice was served on a student from Student Federation of India (SFI) for screening a movie on the campus without obtaining permission from the concerned officials.
Following this, the students have began an online campaign seeking support from all students on the campus to change their display picture on Facebook to a photograph displaying barbed wires with EFLU’s heritage well in the background.
The university officials confirmed issuance of notices, where it demanded explanation within a specific time frame, failing which appropriate action would be taken against the students. A recent notice was issued to a student, Arjab Sarkar, who posted comments on Facebook on October 2, against the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign held on the campus.
Stating the reason for issuing notice, Prof Prakash Kona, Proctor of the university, told Express that the university administration found his comments against Swacch Bharat and the members of administration offensive. The university authorities are yet to receive an explanation from Arjab.
He said, “Based on his explanation, the university would decide on further action against the student.” EFLU also issued notice to another student, M Sarath for screening the movie ‘A short film about killing’ on the campus.
The student, who is part of the SFI told Express, “Officials did not accept the explanation which I gave at the university.” He said that the SFI sought permission for the screening of the movie which was rejected by officials. A similar notice was issued to the mess secretaries for serving chicken on Gandhi Jayanti.