Tensions rise at Ambedkar varsity over student suspensions, protests go on

Tensions continue to escalate at Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) as students and the administration remain at loggerheads over a fresh wave of suspensions linked to ongoing protests on campus.

The initial suspensions triggered widespread protests, which took a violent turn last week. According to the university administration, protestors vandalised vehicles and obstructed senior officials. The vehicles of both the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar were reportedly blocked and damaged.

Registrar Navlendra Kumar Singh said a formal complaint has been filed and an FIR will be registered over the incident.

The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), which is leading the protests, has denied the allegations of violence and instead accused the university of attempting to silence dissent. The newly suspended students include Sharanya Verma (Students’ Union treasurer), Shubhojeet Dey (PhD scholar), Shefali (SFI AUD secretary), Keerthana and Ajay.

The controversy stems from student demands to revoke the March 5 suspensions of three others — Anan, Harsh and Nadia — who were accused of politicising a case of bullying allegedly linked to a first-year student’s suicide attempt.

In a statement, the left-affiliated SFI accused the administration of “silencing dissent” and claimed female students were “manhandled, groped and assaulted” by campus security personnel and police during the protest. The students also rejected the administration’s allegations of vandalism and said the reported bullying incident was not an isolated one.

The SFI said they had repeatedly sought a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, but their requests had gone unanswered.

The students have now approached the Delhi High Court, seeking the revocation of their suspensions. The matter is currently being heard.

The students’ body further alleged the administration was attempting to delay legal proceedings and suppress student voices, thereby causing harm to their academic careers.

University officials, however, have maintained while peaceful protest is acceptable, disruption of campus activities and endangerment of staff and student safety cannot be tolerated.