Today, on 5th April 2025, SFI Delhi conducted a press conference at the Press Club of India regarding the suspensions of three students – Nadia, Anan, and Harsh. The Press Conference was attended by various media houses. An incident occured at the Karampura Campus of Ambedkar University Delhi, where a female student was bullied by her classmates. This eventually led to the student contemplating suicide by consuming napthalene balls. The three suspended students raised the issue and demanded that the administration take strict action on those involved in bullying. In response, the administration suspended all those accused of bullying, but also suspended the three students who had brought the incident to light.
It has now been over a month since the suspension of the three students. The administration has revoked the suspension of many of the bullies but is yet to revoke the suspension of Nadia, Anan, and Harsh, who were served with a suspension of two semesters on the grounds of “tarnishing the name of the University.”
At the Press Conference, Sooraj Elamon, President of SFI Delhi State said, “The curbing of student voices in AUD is not an isolated incident. From HCU to TISS, from JNU to AUD, we have been witnessing such clampdown on student activists. This is part of a broader political agenda to suppress dissent, critical thinking, and student democracy in campuses.”
Shefali Kataria, Secretary of SFI Ambedkar University Delhi Unit said, “It has been over a month since the suspension of our activists, while the bullies roam freely on campus. Despite attempting to speak with the administration and following all due process, there has been no response. In this situation, further intensifying our protest against these arbitrary suspensions remains our only course of action.”
Shubhojeet Dey, AUD Student Council (AUDSC) Councillor from PhD Development said, “These suspensions happened the very next day after SFI won a thumping majority in the AUDSC. These suspensions are emblematic of the fear the administration feels in the face of organised student resistance. The Proctor has suspended over a dozen students en masse over the course of a week. This is nothing but an abuse of his position and authority.”
Nadia, MA Development Studies (First Year) student, and one of the three suspended students said, “The last month has been extremely difficult. Not being able to enter my own campus, not being able to sit for my classes or exams, not being able to study has been an ordeal. My academics have suffered terribly because of the suspension. It is shameful that the Proctor has suspended those who speak against bullying more severely than those who did the bullying.” The three students have been served suspension notices of two semesters, while many of the accused bullies were served suspension notices (now revoked) of only one semester.
Anan Bijo, MA Public Policy and Governance (First Year) student, and one of the three suspended students said, “I come from Kerala. I came here to study and to build my future. When I saw that bullying was happening on campus, I couldn’t stay quiet. I never imagined that I would have to face the most severe consequence of this, and not the bullies. My parents are worried about me and my studies. I hope administration revokes the suspension soon.”
Harsh Choudhary, BA Sustainable Urbanism (Third Year) student, and one of the three suspended students said, “I am in my third year. I was looking forward to finishing my degree and preparing for further studies. I want to support my family and this suspension has derailed my entire future. If the suspension is not revoked I will finish my three year degree in five years. Does the administration not care about the futures of its students? Is it a crime to speak against bullying?”
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