Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) in Punjab’s Patiala on Tuesday, 19 March, revoked the suspension of the six students who were suspended on Friday for protesting against the quality of food in the hostel mess, reported LiveLaw.
The university has also ordered an inquiry into the conduct of SP Singh, the administrative officer who passed the suspension order. Singh has also been sent on compulsory leave till the inquiry is concluded.
The university also said the “inquiry shall be concluded expeditiously within three months by associating the students through their representatives.”
According to a report in Bar and Bench, the suspension order was passed in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor Paramjit Jaswal.
Students up in Arms Against the Administration
The students started protesting at around 8 pm on Friday against the “arbitrary and wrongful” suspension of the fellow students after they were asked to vacate the hostel premises. They were accused of having “indulged in indiscipline and hooliganism” in the boys’ hostel.
The students also alleged that the faculty confiscated the phone of a student, and according to the portal when the students raised objections their resistance was met with verbal abuse.
In a statement the students also said:
“Upon insisting that fundamental right of privacy are being violated, the Faculty shamelessly and unreasonably responded with abuses and stated that the students are in no position to teach them the Law.”
However, the university maintained that the students were suspended for indiscipline and that the false allegations were being levelled against the university, reported The Tribune.
The daily also added that though the students took out a peaceful candle light vigil, the administration deployed a heavy police force on the university campus.
Other Issues Raised by the Students
The statement issued by the students also accuses the administrative officer of making sexual remarks and violating the dignity of women.
The students raised the issues of restrictions on the mobility of women and their in-timings, incompetent faculty, indifference to sexual harassment complaints. The students refused to budge until they had a written assurance from the administration.
The university in its notice has mentioned that the students are permitted to enter the university gate by 8:00 pm and the hostel in-timing for both girls and boys will be 12:00 am. However the university has clarified that the students will have access to “designated area” between 8:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Support Poured in From Students From Across the Country
As the students at RGNUL started protesting against the administration, students from across the country supported them.
A statement from the student body of National Law University (NLU) Delhi read:
“The actions of the RGNUL administration taken against the students are deplorable and provide a glimpse into the dictatorial powers vested in the governing bodies of NLUs.”
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