UoH suspends 10 students on charges of indiscipline
University of Hyderabad.File photoKVS Giri
Students’ union criticises ‘moral policing’ by the university authorities
University of Hyderabad (UoH) suspended with immediate effect three students for two years and seven students for six months from academic programmes and hostels after an inquiry committee set up by the Vice-Chancellor found them to have “prevented officials from discharging their duties and verbal assault”. The students, who were suspended for two years, were also found to have refused to “comply with rules”.
Backed by the UoH Students Union, the suspended students have, however, launched a protest on the campus demanding that the university authorities “stop moral policing”. Though the hostel rules state that male students should not enter ladies hostel and vice versa, a considerable section of the varsity’s students community has been demanding free movement for students of all genders in hostels. UoH Students Union in a statement issued on Wednesday, “rejected the manner, notion and idea of moral policing”.
The incident took place on November 3 when J-hostel administrative officers searched a room after they received complaint that a female student was spending the night there. When the girl student who was asked to leave the hostel room protested the warden’s demand, a group of students including representatives of UoH Students Union and Gender Sensitive Committee Against Sexual Harassment gathered near the hostel room in her support. Cyberabad police who were called to the spot by the administration dispersed the students.
As per the order copy issued by UoH Registrar’s office, the suspended students will have to sign “an undertaking that they shall restrain from any act of misconduct and indiscipline” if they choose to rejoin after the punishment term.
The order also stated that these students will not be given hostel accommodation again. In a press statement, the University said that “competent authority has approved the report and recommendations of the Committee that has held students guilty...”.
The female student, however, issued a statement against the University accusing the administration of “individually targeting” her. In her open letter to the administration, the suspended female student also asked faculty members and her peers to fight the decision taken by the university. Suspended students did not leave the varsity even after the order was issued.
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