On May 31, 2024, the University of Hyderabad suspended five students and fined another five students who protested outside of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence after the university postponed the cultural festival ‘Sukoon,’ from the end of May until August.

The protest took place on May 18. That day, the university administration alerted police and registered a First Information Report (FIR).

On May 31, the university fined five students and suspended another five for one semester. In addition to the suspensions, the students were also required to vacate their university housing, for the duration of their suspension, by July 1.

One month later, on July 1, the university revoked the suspensions during an Executive Committee meeting after the students gave an “unconditional” apology for their actions. The students were allowed to return to their university housing, however they were still required to pay a reduced fine.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the suspensions and eviction of students in retaliation for their peaceful expressive activity, conduct that is expressly protected by international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which India is a party. In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, retaliation against peaceful expressive activity undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/uoh-suspends-five-students-for-six-months/article68324777.ece
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2024/Jun/25/protest-breaks-out-at-university-of-hyderabad-over-suspension-orders
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2024/Jul/01/university-of-hyderabad-revokes-suspension-of-five-students-union-calls-off-stir
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/suspension-of-students-was-over-1-am-protest-at-vcs-residence-events-related-to-sukoon-festival-uoh-registrar/article68331578.ece
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/anger-university-of-hyderabad-suspension-of-5-students-who-protested-at-v-c-home-9416065/