Suspending Keralite students over wall graffiti is undemocratic: Fraternity
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Thiruvananthapuram: The suspension of three Keralite students from the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) in Tamil Nadu, which functions under the Union Ministry of Youth and Sports, for allegedly writing slogans like ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Free Palestine’ on hostel walls, is undemocratic and an infringement on student rights, said the state secretariat meeting of the Fraternity Movement.
The suspension was issued on Sunday, May 25, just a day before the students were scheduled to appear for their final semester exams.
The authorities termed the slogans “anti-national” and accused the students—Aslam S, Sayeedh M A, and Nahal Ibnu Abullaise—of “gross misconduct,” as determined by an internal disciplinary committee. In addition to barring the students from entering the campus and hostel premises, the suspension also denies them the opportunity to appear for their final exams, disrupting their academic year.
The meeting noted that ‘Jai Bhim’ is a slogan saluting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and that India officially supports the establishment of a free Palestinian state as part of its declared diplomatic stance.
The meeting demanded that the institute authorities clarify to students and the public how ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Free Palestine’ could be considered as anti-national remarks.
The meeting was presided over by President Naeem Ghafoor.
