Six Dalit and OBC students protesting at Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University (MGAHV) in Wardha have been barred from entering the university campus, days after some of them were named in FIRs.
The move has led to allegations that the university administration is trying to “criminalise” the ongoing protest. The university, however, said the restriction was an interim disciplinary measure pending an independent inquiry and was necessary to protect academic and administrative functioning.
Students Allege Targeting
The protest has been continuing since July 8 over several demands. Those barred from the campus include research scholars Niranjan Oberoi and Rajesh Kumar Yadav, both from the OBC community, and Ram Chandra, who is from the Scheduled Caste community.
Students Rahul Kumar Thakur (OBC), Rakesh Ahirwar (SC) and Shivpujan Pasi (SC) have also been barred.
The students alleged that a September 1 notice described them as a threat to the campus environment even though the FIRs against some of them are still under investigation.
They argued that guilt can only be established through due process and demanded withdrawal of the cases, restoration of academic facilities and written orders on their earlier demands.
University Cites Disruption
University Registrar Kadar Nawaz Khan said the administration had always favoured dialogue and institutional mechanisms to resolve genuine student grievances.
However, the university alleged that some students and research scholars had been demonstrating inside the administrative building without permission since July 8. It accused them of disrupting the functioning of the vice-chancellor, registrar and examination controller’s offices, including by beating daphli and using loudspeakers.
The university further alleged that on August 20, students locked all entrances to the administrative building, leaving senior officials and employees confined inside for nearly four hours. It also cited alleged obstruction of official movement and damage to university property.
Following an examination of reports and available evidence, the university said it lodged FIRs at Ramnagar police station against students whose prima facie involvement had emerged.
The administration clarified that there was no blanket ban on entering the administrative building and that students requiring access for authorised academic or administrative work would be allowed entry.
Students’ Demands
The protesters are seeking completion of the 2022-23 PhD admission process, shifting the women’s studies and film studies departments back to the main campus, 24-hour library access and basic facilities such as food, drinking water, medicines and sanitation.
The students said PhD interviews were finally conducted on August 27 after a prolonged legal battle.
