Protest at UoH on 24 June over the suspension of five students.

More trouble seems to be brewing on the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus. The students’ union has called for a protest on Monday and demanded that the administration lift the suspension of five students, including union president Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed. They are also demanding that the fine imposed on them be lifted and that charges be filed against the students.

According to the students’ union, the UoH administration suspended five students for six months and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 for protesting against the administration’s decision to postpone Sukoon, an annual cultural festival of the students. Five other office-bearers of the SFI unit of the UoH were also fined Rs 10,000.

The university had earlier stated that students had entered the Vice-Chancellor’s residence at 1am on May 18 and caused “nuisance” because they had been asked to hold the annual cultural festival after the opening of the academic semester at the university and not during the semester break.

The union stated that the administration had sent a letter to the police seeking permission and claimed that the DCP had assured the union members of the police department’s full cooperation, but the administration still postponed Sukoon on the grounds that there was no permission.

Due to this, the students’ union was forced to hold a peaceful protest outside the VC guest house. However, within a week, the police were called and an FIR was filed against the students, along with disciplinary orders.

“The UoH administration immediately convened a meeting of the Executive Council and decided to suspend students from classes and hostels. The relevant orders were issued 10 days ago. For the first time, the president of the Students’ Union was suspended,” said an academic.

According to the union, suspended students face the loss of their doctorate and scholarship as well as a future ban on admission to universities.