SFI slams Hansraj College's 'arbitrary' suspension of 30 students

Hansraj College suspended 30 students, including union leaders, for alleged misconduct. The SFI and DUSU condemned the move as an "undemocratic" attempt to "silence dissent," demanding revocation and a transparent inquiry into the matter.

SFI Condemns 'Arbitrary' Suspensions

The Student Federation of India (SFI) on Monday "strongly condemned" Hansraj College's recent decision to suspend 30 students, including four student office bearers, in connection with alleged misconduct during the college's annual fest.

In an Instagram post, the SFI termed the decision "arbitrary" and "undemocratic", alleging that the student union leaders were suspended without any fair or transparent procedure. "We strongly condemn the arbitrary and undemocratic suspensions carried out by the administration of Hansraj College against eleven students, including seven earlier and now four elected office bearers of the Students' Union. Among them is our unit secretary and other active student voices who have been targeted without any fair or transparent process," the post said.

Furthermore, the SFI stressed that the decision is an attempt to "silence dissent" and violates basic principles of natural justice. The body also demanded Hansraj College administration revoke the decision and conduct a transparent inquiry process into the matter.

"These suspensions, justified under vague charges like "defamation," "misconduct," and "breach of discipline," are a clear attempt to silence dissent. No proper enquiry and no public evidence have been provided, violating basic principles of natural justice. Targeting elected student representatives is a direct attack on student democracy. Raising concerns and organizing students are not acts of indiscipline, but fundamental democratic rights. We demand immediate revocation of all suspensions and a transparent inquiry process. Inquilab Zindabad," the post further said.

College Cites Misconduct, Defamation

The Hansraj College has suspended around 30 students, including four office-bearers of its Students' Union, citing allegations ranging from "defaming the college through social media platforms" to "use of derogatory language". The notices in this regard were served between April 20 and 25.

The action follows incidents of alleged violence and misconduct during the college's annual fest held on April 8 and 9. In one of the notices dated April 25, the college administration said the union office-bearers have been placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings. College principal Prof. (Dr.) Rama could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

Those suspended include the four elected representatives of the Hansraj College Students' Union for 2025-26. According to the notice, the students have been barred from entering the college premises during the suspension period, except to appear in examinations and internal assessments. The duration of the suspension has not been specified, with the order described as "interim" and effective until further directions.

The first notice was issued on April 20 against a single student. The notice said the student had been found in acts of indiscipline, including defamation of the institution and use of derogatory language against teaching and non-teaching staff. A second notice named 14 students for being involved in "acts of indiscipline, physical violence, and disruption of campus order" during the annual fest.

DUSU Slams 'Attack on Student Democracy'

The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU), which termed the action "a brazen attack on student democracy and an outright abuse of administrative power".

DUSU President Aryaman Sai said, "These are the very representatives who sit on protests for days, fighting for student rights, so what exactly is their crime? Speaking the truth? Exposing administrative failures?"

Alleging an attempt to "crush student leadership", Sai added that "silencing elected voices is not governance, it is fear," and demanded "immediate and unconditional revocation" of the suspensions. "Campuses are meant for dissent, dialogue, and accountability -- not authoritarian crackdowns. Students will not be bullied. Students will not be silenced," he said. (ANI)

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