On March 21, 2025, Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) suspended MA student Mantasha Irfan for written comments that she made criticizing the university’s vice chancellor.

On January 28, Irfan allegedly used the university’s official email system to circulate remarks criticizing a speech that Vice Chancellor Anu Singh Lather made during Republic Day, a national holiday that commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution. On March 21, after two hearings, a disciplinary committee suspended Irfan for the winter 2025 semester for violating the university’s code of discipline by circulating those remarks. The All India Students’ Association accused AUD of irregularities in the disciplinary process, including providing insufficient notice before the hearing and of questioning Irfan about her religious identity.

After AISA organized two weeks of protests, including an indefinite sit-in that lasted for 72 hours, AUD reversed Irfan’s suspension, stating that the administration had decided to show leniency in Irfan’s case.

Scholars at Risk is concerned by a university taking disciplinary action against a student for exercising her right to freedom of opinion and expression – conduct that is 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. Higher education administrators should respect academic freedom and should employ transparent, fair processes when engaging in disciplinary actions. In addition to the harm to the immediate victim, such actions undermine academic freedom.

Sources:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/ambedkar-university-delhi-revokes-suspension-of-ma-final-year-student-amid-protests-101743770931123.html
https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/two-weeks-of-protest-pays-off-as-aud-revokes-suspension-of-ma-student-1503416134.html