On October 19, 2024, Mewar University suspended thirty-five nursing students for peacefully protesting the university’s failure to acquire industry approval for a necessary course. 

During the protest, students sat on campus grounds for three consecutive days and held up signs. On the third day of the protest, the administration sent a suspension notice to the students, citing their “nuisance and deplorable acts,” which were not specified in the letter. The notice banned the students from entering campus and ordered them to vacate their hostels by 8PM the next day. 

After several student advocacy groups objected, the university revoked the students’ suspensions on October 22.  

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the suspension of students in retaliation for their exercise of the right to freedom of expression and assembly. While university authorities have an obligation to take all reasonable measures to maintain a professional and respectful environment on campus, they must do so consistent with their responsibility to ensure academic freedom and free expression on campus. Even when reversed, restrictions on student expression undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/over-30-kashmiri-students-suspended-amid-protests-in-rajasthan-university/3645383/
https://www.greaterkashmir.com/education/35-kashmiri-students-suspended-by-mewar-university-after-protest/
https://kashmirobserver.net/2024/10/22/suspension-of-kashmiri-students-at-rajasthan-university-revoked-sakina-itoo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92RMLXX_h88