Expulsions Rock MGAHV Amidst Allegations of Illegal Vice Chancellor Appointment, Students Defiant in Protests
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI– In a controversial move, five students from Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (MGAHV) in Wardha, Maharashtra, were suspended for their protest against the Vice Chancellor, Bhimrao Maitri. The students claim that Maitri’s appointment goes against the University Act, an allegation that led to their expulsion.
The expelled students, namely Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Niranjan Kumar Oberoi, Rajneesh Ambedkar, Ram Chandra, and Vivek Mishra, were suspended following their protest during Republic Day celebrations on January 27th. The students accused the Vice Chancellor of an unlawful appointment and raised slogans against him during the event.
According to the university, the students were suspended for allegedly using social media to spread misinformation and disrupting the Vice Chancellor’s speech. However, the students argue that their actions were in response to an illegal appointment and were a part of their right to protest.
Ram Chandra, a researcher in the Department of Women’s Studies, who was not even present on campus, was expelled based on a Facebook post criticizing the Vice Chancellor’s appointment. The post, read by Maktoob, included references from the University Act 1996 and highlighted the alleged violation in the appointment process.
Vivek Mishra, another expelled student, accused the university administration of forcefully evicting him from the hostel, leading to injuries. Mishra, a graduation degree theatre student, has launched a protest seeking the revocation of his suspension.
The students, who have been protesting against the Vice Chancellor’s appointment, allege that the university has issued dictatorial orders without conducting a proper investigation or listening to their grievances. Efforts to obtain a comment from Registrar Dharvesh Katheria, who is accused of repressive policies, have been unsuccessful.
The appointment of the current Vice Chancellor has been a point of contention, with former VC Ravish Kumar Shukla resigning in August 2023 amid allegations of sexual harassment. The students claim that the appointment of Bhimrao Maitri goes against the legalities of the university, and a petition has been filed by Professor L. Karunyakara contesting the VC’s appointment.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the expelled students continue to protest, accusing the university administration of using repressive policies against those who raise their voice in the interest of the students.
The case is currently awaiting a verdict at the Nagpur bench of the Mumbai High Court. The expelled students maintain that their actions were an attempt to bring attention to the alleged irregularities surrounding the Vice Chancellor’s appointment and uphold the principles of justice at MGAHV.
