On May 9, 2025, Sinhgad Academy of Engineering suspended Khadija Sheikh, a second-year IT engineering student at the college, for posting an Instagram story critical of India’s military action against Pakistan. The college claimed she had brought ‘disrepute’ and that she harboured “anti-national sentiments,” posing a “risk to the campus community and society.”
On May 7, Sheikh re-shared a post on her Instagram story that criticized Operation Sindoor, India’s military action conducted against Pakistan after unidentified attackers killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam village, located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. A few hours later, after receiving threats, Sheikh deleted the post and apologized to her Instagram followers. Two days later, the Kondhwa police in Pune submitted a First Information Report against Sheikh. Police arrested her shortly thereafter and transferred her to Yerwada Prison. That same day, Sinhgad College issued a rustication order, or suspension, against Sheikh for “anti‑national sentiments,” claiming that she had brought shame upon the university and posed a “risk” to the campus and broader society.
On May 27, the Bombay High Court strongly rebuked both the college and the police. The court questioned the institution’s lack of due process and ordered the college to suspend the rustication order, allowing Sheikh to take her upcoming exam. On June 9, the court set aside the rustication, effectively reversing the university’s suspension, citing a lack of proper procedure and emphasizing that the college must follow proper hearings before taking disciplinary actions. At the time of this report, it is not clear if the college proceeded with any other disciplinary actions.
Scholars at Risk is concerned about the suspension of a student without following proper process. Higher Education leaders should adhere in principle and practice to established policies for challenging and removing tenure; policies which are designed to guard against bias, ideological interference, or other improper motives. Failure to strictly adhere to such policies directly undermines academic freedom and undermines democratic society generally.
Sources:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/May/27/absolutely-shocking-bombay-hc-slams-maharashtra-government-over-arrest-of-19-year-old-student-for-post-on-op-sindoor
https://www.siasat.com/ruining-life-bombay-hc-slams-students-arrest-over-op-sindoor-post-3225961/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/in-breach-of-natural-justice-bombay-hc-sets-aside-students-rustication-from-pune-college-she-criticized-govt-over-operation-sindoor/articleshow/121733189.cms
https://maktoobmedia.com/india/you-are-ruining-life-of-a-student-bombay-hc-slams-arrest-rustication-of-19-year-old-for-post-on-operation-sindoor/
Note: This report was drafted in part using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, with SAR staff reviewing and as necessary adjusting the content prior to publication.