SAU students on indefinite strike demanding scholarships revoking suspension of students; several hospitalized

NEW DELHI: The Communist party of India, general secretary, D Raja writes a letter to the minister of external affairs, S Jaishankar after an indefinite hunger strike by students of South Asian University, New Delhi entering its eighth day. The students are demanding revocation of suspension and expulsion of five students and an appeal for discussion over demands of scholarships.

Multiple students have fallen ill and been hospitalised. The students on the strike have reported critically low vitals. The SAU students are protesting over the cut in the number of scholarships over the years and are demanding a stipend of Rs 7,000 to master's students from underprivileged backgrounds.

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The SAU scholars that are pursuing PhD are currently demanding consistency in the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) stipend along with a paid extension of one year for the batches that were affected by the pandemic. The university administration allegedly called the police instead of listening to the peaceful protests of the students.

The university has also allegedly expelled and rusticated two students each and has suspended one student without following proper procedure. On November 4, 2022, the university’s proctor issued expulsion orders to two protesting students – an master's student and a doctoral scholar. “It has come to SAU’s record that since 13th October, 2022, you have been persistently involved in acts of indiscipline inconsistently with the relevant provisions of SAU Rules, Regulations, Bye-laws. You have been consistently advised to adhere to the students’ Code of Conduct, but you have failed to do so. You are therefore expelled from the University with immediate effect. Further, you are, therefore, directed to vacate the hostel immediately; no later than 24 hours from the receipt of this Order,” read the expulsion orders.

Therefore, Raja requests S Jaishankar to intervene and take up the matter to investigate the alleged lapse of judgement from the South Asian University.