Madras High Court Stays Student's Rustication Over ‘Jai Bhim, Free Palestine' Graffiti
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The court observed that the action taken by the institution, if allowed to stand, would cause 'too much hardship' to the student, who is at the 'fag-end of his career'
The Madras High Court has stayed the rustication of a postgraduate student of the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), who was expelled after allegedly painting graffiti reading 'Jai Bhim" and 'Free Palestine" on hostel walls.
The bench of Justice TV Thamilselvi passed an interim order on May 29 in favour of the petitioner, S Aslam, a second-year Master of Social Work (MSW) student at the Sriperumbudur-based institute.
The court observed that the action taken by the institution, if allowed to stand, would cause 'too much hardship" to the student, who is at the 'fag-end of his career".
The controversy began on May 24 when graffiti was discovered in the boys' hostel. The following day, Aslam was rusticated through an administrative order issued by the Director of RGNIYD. According to Aslam, he was served a notice via WhatsApp merely an hour before the enquiry meeting and was denied an opportunity to present his defence or respond to the specific charges against him.
Aslam contended in his plea that the enquiry process was biased and motivated. He alleged that the Assistant Registrar, Avinav Thakur (Respondent No. 6), who was part of the enquiry committee, harboured personal vendetta against him and other students for exposing an alleged sexual assault case pending against him in Jharkhand. The student claimed that Thakur influenced the disciplinary proceedings and, with the support of the hostel warden, orchestrated the action taken against him.
Labelled as engaging in 'anti-national activity", Aslam argued that the rustication order was a violation of his right to dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. He maintained that the institute neither provided him the list of charges nor considered his documentary evidence. Moreover, his plea to be allowed to take his final exams and complete his internship reportedly received no response from the administration.
Taking note of these allegations and the academic stage of the student, the high court granted interim relief. The court directed the institute to reschedule examinations, issue him a hall ticket, allow participation in the block placement programme in the Department of Social Work, and include him in the official WhatsApp group to ensure educational continuity. All directions were made subject to the final outcome of the writ petition.
The matter is now posted for further hearing on June 25.
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