New Delhi: Delhi Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia ordered that neither penal action should be initiated nor a fine should be imposed on an Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) student who allegedly posted “distasteful remarks” online against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The student’s remarks came during the annual convocation held in December 2020.
Last week, Ambedkar University had imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on a 24-year-old postgraduate student and initiated disciplinary action against her. The quantum of the punishment was finalised after a proctorial inquiry found her guilty of making the remarks against the CM while protesting an alleged fee hike.
Sisodia wrote a letter to the higher education secretary and said that no student should be punished for expressing views different from that of the government or the varsity.
“It has been brought to my notice that disciplinary action has been taken against a student of Ambedkar University for voicing certain remarks against the Chief Minister and myself. Firstly, no action has been taken against any student for expressing a viewpoint that is different from the government and the university, unless the said statement damages the social fabric of our country or is against our constitutional values. Secondly, since the student was expressing her viewpoint against the government as reported in the media, the matter first should have been brought to our notice before initiating any against her,” Sisodia, who is also Delhi education minister, said.
“A university should be a safe space for students to freely voice their opinions, debate and develop their points of view. No students should be punished for exercising their right to free speech within the University space,” Sisodia added.
Sisodia asked the principal secretary to ensure that the fine imposed on the student be cancelled and that she faces no action. “The principal secretary should issue relevant directions to all universities that come under the aegis of the Delhi government to ensure that no such action is taken against students in future also for expressing their opinions unless they are damaging to the social fabric of the country and go against our constitutional values,” he further said in the letter.
Ambedkar University row-
Kejriwal Govt to ensure fine against the student is cancelled & she faces no action
“No student should be punished for exercising their right to Free Speech.
The matter should’ve been brought to our notice before initiating any action”- Dy CM @msisodia pic.twitter.com/9slnKY1OiE
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) July 5, 2021
It may be recalled that final semester MA Performance Studies student, Neha, had been imposed the fine on June 30, which she had to pay to be eligible for her final exams.
In December last year, Neha had posted remarks on the YouTube live streaming link during the online convocation to protest AUD’s admission policy. This included fee hike and alleged discrimination against SC/ST students.
According to a university official, the fine has now been withdrawn.
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