The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday stayed the expulsion of three of its students who took part in a demonstration in January 2020 by Visva-Bharati and ordered them to attend classes immediately.
Somnath Sove and Falguni Paan of Arthashastra and Rupa Chakraborty of Hindustani Classical Music were expelled for three years on 23 August on grounds of “gross indiscipline and misconduct” and were protesting, supported by a section of teachers . Local organizations and some political parties. He termed the court order as an “early victory” for him.
The court also ordered immediate restoration of normalcy in the university and called for an end to the demonstrations on the campus.
“Basically the allegation (against the expelled students) is that they broke the seal on the door of a professor’s chamber in the Arthshastra Bhavan… This court is prima facie that the punishment for expulsion for a period of three years for the charge against the students. The year is excessive and disproportionate.Justice Rajasekhar Mantha in his order said that the said order of expulsion will be kept in abeyance.
“Students will be allowed to participate in their academic activities. University professors and teachers alike are hurt by the alleged arbitrariness of the Vice-Chancellor. The professor may initiate appropriate proceedings challenging the orders of suspension in accordance with law,” the judge said.
“A basic level of education and maturity is required for a student to make an informed decision before accepting or following any ideology. In the absence of such education it would be a principle to be exposed to raw ideologies,” Justice Mantha further said, adding that all demonstrations, mass-protests, dharnas, strikes and/or agitations by or on behalf of the students, inside or outside the campus. , will be closed immediately.
The matter will be heard again on September 15.