Delhi University suspended student for writing slogans against NTA on campus walls for 6 months

Delhi University on Monday was fired A student who allegedly wrote “objectionable” slogans about the National Examinations Agency on a wall inside the North Campus as part of a protest in July was given a six-month sentence. Indian Express reported.

The National Testing Agency organizes entrance exams to higher education institutions. In recent months, it has come under fire for alleged irregularities in various exams, including the 2024 National Eligibility and Entrance Test for admission to undergraduate medical courses.

deportation order On Monday, a 22-year-old student was banned from attending classes, taking exams or participating in corporate activities for six months.

The student, who is pursuing his Master’s degree in Russian at the Department of Slavic and Finno-Ugric Studies, said that the decision regarding his deportation was a violation of freedom of expression.

On July 31, the student, who was a member of Disha Student Organization, was allegedly caught by the university’s security guards writing slogans on a wall near the Faculty of Law.

“I wrote the words ‘SCRAP NTA’ on one of the university walls as part of our agitation against the National Testing Agency.” Indian Express He quoted the student’s words. “I speak out and express the things that bother me as a student of my own university.”

Later the same day, a first information report was registered against him under Chapter 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita at Maurice Nagar police station following a complaint by the guards.

Section 173 deals with the filing of cases for cognizable offences, where the police can investigate the matter without the order of a magistrate and make arrests without any warrant.

The university suspended him on August 21 after receiving a copy of the FIR.

Proctor Rajni Abbi on Tuesday said that after the FIR was lodged, an inquiry committee was constituted to look into the matter. Abbi said the committee found “the student showed no remorse for his actions.” Indian Express.

“There are designated areas in the university for writing slogans or pasting posters,” he added. “No one can do this anywhere because it is a violation of the university tampering laws.”

A report prepared by the panel stated that the student also admitted to writing slogans and described it as part of Disha’s “strategic plan” at the committee’s meeting on November 6. Indian Express.

“As a result, the board is of the opinion that he should be suspended from the university for at least six months,” he added. “The committee recommended this deterrent punishment (to the student) in order to prevent the student from destroying the walls of the university.”

The student moved the Delhi High Court following his suspension on August 21.

On October 3, the student’s lawyer told the court that he “should not face the wrath of the restraining order unless the matter is investigated and the applicant is convicted.” Indian Express reported. The court is scheduled to hear the case on November 20.