Delhi HC stays suspension of Jamia students who protested show-cause notices to PhD scholars

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the suspension of several Jamia Millia Islamia students who were punished for allegedly participating in campus protests without permission, reported Live Law.

Additionally, Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma directed that a committee be formed, under the supervision of the university vice chancellor, to help “calm down” the situation. The committee will include university officials as well as student representatives.

On February 15, the Left-affiliated All India Students’ Association had claimed that 17 students of the university were suspended overnight for protesting disciplinary action against two PhD scholars.

The scholars were issued show cause notices for holding a demonstration on December 15 to mark the fifth anniversary of violence on campus during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act movement. It was held under the banner of “Jamia Resistance Day”.

On Tuesday, the court was hearing a petition filed by four of the suspended students. They challenged the disciplinary action and argued that the response was disproportionate to the nature of their protest.

The court issued notices in their pleas and said the record showed their protest was peaceful, reported Live Law.

“All the students are of tender age and students when go to the university certainly make an endeavour to raise their voice within the framework of law,” said the court.

It added that participation of students in...

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