‘Vague, undemocratic’: Students at Azim Premji varsity protest 2-yr suspension over ABVP incident

By A Representative 

A student of Azim Premji University in Bengaluru has been handed a two-year suspension by the university administration, a decision that has sparked immediate protest from fellow students who are demanding its revocation.

The suspension order, conveyed via email from the Registrar’s office today, cites four specific allegations against the student: “Defiance of institutional processes and guidelines,” “Misrepresenting facts,” “Violating the university code of conduct,” and “Failure to follow university’s instructions for de-escalating a volatile situation during an extraordinary event on campus.”

According to a press release issued by students of the university, this decision follows the recommendations of a Special Disciplinary Committee that was constituted to investigate events that took place on February 24, when ABVP members forcibly entered the campus and vandalised the university premises.

Students have expressed deep concern over the formation of an arbitrary Special Disciplinary Committee, arguing that creating a disciplinary body in response to an event where student safety was threatened effectively assumes students to be responsible for an external attack.

“This assumption of guilt and need for ‘disciplining’ before any investigation was even conducted, is undemocratic and concerning,” the student press release stated.

The students further noted that the allegations cited in the suspension order remain vague and undefined, lacking context or explanation. No report of the committee’s investigation has been shared with the suspended student.

Other students who were called before the committee have received threatening emails warning that they are being let off with a warning and that future non-compliance with the university’s Code of Conduct would invite strict action.

In response to the suspension, over forty students gathered in protest, demanding the immediate revocation of what they call a disproportionate and arbitrary action.

The students raised concerns that the timing of the email was strategically chosen to prevent an organised response. Gathering at the Hinge at 2 PM, they raised slogans against the administration and later marched to the Registrar’s office around 2.45 PM, demanding to meet him.

The Registrar did not comply and remained inside his office, employing security guards to prevent the students from meeting him. Members of the Student Affairs Committee met the students outside the office but repeatedly refused to facilitate a meeting with the Registrar or respond meaningfully to concerns.

Instead, protesting students were accused of not following due process, with administrators insisting that students must first send emails and obtain prior permission before seeking an audience with the Registrar. Students were also threatened with disciplinary action for gathering outside the office, with claims that their presence constituted workplace disruption.

The Student Council has since sent a formal email to the Registrar raising concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the disciplinary process and the disproportionate severity of the punishment. Students have also initiated a signature campaign across the student body demanding accountability from the administration.

The students’ press release argues that a two-year suspension subject to future review before readmission is equivalent to expulsion, and notes that the violence on campus on February 24 was initiated by external actors who forcefully entered university premises and vandalised property.

“Yet, instead of holding those responsible accountable, the university administration has chosen to impose severe punishment on a student for allegedly failing to ‘de-escalate’ the situation,” the statement said.

The students demand the immediate revocation of the suspension.