As the crackdown on students in various universities across different parts of India continues, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has accused the Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) administration of being biased against its three members who had participated in a protest against a bullying incident on campus. The administration had suspended 11 students, including those accused of bullying, in connection with the episode. The suspension of most of the accused students has since been revoked, but the three SFI students who participated in the protest are still barred from attending classes, the federation alleged.
Meanwhile, SFI Delhi said that Nadia, Anan Bijo, and Harsh Choudhary — students from the Karampura campus — were suspended for two semesters after they demanded action in connection with a suicide attempt by a fellow student who was allegedly harassed by his classmates. “The students were suspended for raising their voices against bullying and harassment. The curbing of student voices in AUD is not an isolated incident. From HCU to TISS, from JNU to AUD, we are witnessing a wider crackdown on student activism,” said SFI Delhi president Sooraj Elamon.
He further said that these incidents are part of a “broader political agenda” to suppress dissent, critical thinking, and student democracy on campuses. The SFI members stated that a woman student was harassed and bullied inside the Karampura campus, and Nadia, Bijo, and Choudhary raised their voices and helped the student. “The administration was not helpful, but these three did not give up. However, the university said that these students are trying to tarnish the image of the campus. This is the situation,” he said.
Elamon also explained that the students who had initially bullied the student were suspended for six months, but their suspension has been revoked. “However, the three students are still suspended,” he added. SFI AUD secretary Shefali Kataria said all efforts to engage with the administration have failed, adding that the organization would intensify its protests.
The students also alleged that the university had erected barricades, deployed heavy security, and banned protests in the administrative areas, infringing upon their right to free assembly and expression. “There is a massive attack on free speech inside universities, and this is no different. AUD was known to be one of the free spaces, but that has changed,” a student from Ambedkar University said.
On the other hand, faculty members who showed solidarity were reportedly issued show-cause notices. “I haven’t been allowed to enter my campus, attend classes, or sit for exams. It is disgraceful that those who raised their voices against bullying are being punished more harshly than the bullies themselves,” said Nadia, a first-year MA Development Studies student who is one of the suspended students.
Anan Bijo, a first-year MA Public Policy and Governance student from Kerala, said she never imagined she would be the one facing the harshest consequences. “My parents are deeply worried. I just want to go back to class.” Harsh Choudhary, a third-year BA Sustainable Urbanism student, said that his graduation could be delayed by two years due to the suspension. “Is it a crime to speak out against bullying?” he asked.
The three students said they were not even informed about the suspension initially. “This attack is not just on us three students, it is an attack on all students,” he added. Ironically, the suspensions came a day after the SFI won a majority in the AUD Student Council elections.
Shubhojeet Dey, a councillor from the PhD Development Studies programme, alleged, “This is a clear backlash against student activism.” “The proctor has suspended over a dozen students in a single week. This is a gross abuse of authority,” he said.
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) has also criticized the university’s handling of the incident, calling the process “reckless” and lacking transparency.
