JOIN USA first year undergraduate student from Delhi University's Bhim Rao Ambedkar College has been under suspension for a month.
College principal G K Arora said an alleged act of indiscipline had led to the suspension of Aarju Aalam, a student of BA (Hons) Hindi Journalism and Mass Communication. But Alam offers a different version.
According to Aalam, who is also a part- time waiter, a motivational speaker was displaying acts like walking on fire and broken glass in the college on March 15.“I was curious and there was a lot of crowd, so I got up on the chair to watch it.
Suddenly a non-teaching employee caught me by the collar and dragged me to the gate, calling me names and even hitting me,” he said.
The next day, Aalam went to the principal's office. “Before I could explain anything, the principal said that he knew everything,” said Aalam.
On the same day he got his suspension letter by post which said: “Aarju Aalam is placed under suspension with immediate effect pending an inquiry for the act of indiscipline during motivational talk and misbehaving with the non-teaching staff on duty. He is not permitted to enter the college premises till further orders.”
Arora said discipline should be maintained in a college where a majority of students are girls.
“Any act of indiscipline is an administrative matter. He broke a very expensive chair in the auditorium and misbehaved by not showing his college identity card when asked by the person on duty. He is just trying to defame the college. He even told me that he will register an FIR,” the principal said.
With just two weeks left for the final exams, Aalam is losing hope. “I am not allowed to enter college premises. I have to submit my assignments, get the admit card. I feel suicidal as I will lose a year because of this,” he said. A letter signed by over 20 student witnesses who called the suspension unfair was submitted to the principal.
“Some students backed out as calls were made to their parents, a few were told that they will get entangled in a legal battle and may not be able to take their exams,” Aalam claimed.
The principal said two statutory inquiry committees have been constituted. “The committees called Aalam twice, but he did not turn up. I am not even a part of these committees,” said Arora.
Aalam is reluctant to attend the meetings, claiming that the inquiry will be unfair as the committees work “right under the nose of the principal.”
“An independent inquiry should be set up. CCTV footages should be seen by those inquiring. If they find I am fault, I will drop out myself,” Aalam said.