A fact-finding report by a host of civil society groups, including People’s Union for Civil Liberties-Karnataka, on the violent protests on the Azim Premji University campus on February 24 and the subsequent sequence of events, has observed that despite having prior knowledge about the potential flare-up, the university administration failed to take preventive measures.

The report, which is a culmination of testimonies from students, faculty members and the police over two months, was released by the PUCL-Karnataka, Bahutva Karnataka, Naaveddu Nilladiddare, All India Students’ Federation, Collective, All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice-Karnataka, and All India Forum for Right to Education. 

‘Disproportionate response’

The report claimed that there was unanimous opinion among students and faculty members that the FIR against SPARK-APU, which had organised a discussion that drew protests from Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and the suspension of a student were disproportionate responses on the part of the university administration. 

“The university has failed to make a single statement to the public, condemning the violent attack by the ABVP. They have also failed to pressure authorities to avoid delay in the investigation and ensure that strict action be taken against the vigilante mob,” the report noted.

Timeline of events

Clashes broke out on the campus premises when members of the ABVP vandalised the campus property and force-entered the premises, protesting a discussion on Kashmir organised by the SPARK-APU, a student-led group.

An FIR was registered against the ABVP members based on a complaint lodged by the APU Head of Security, and against the SPARK-APU after a complaint from the university Registrar.

The APU also formed a Special Disciplinary Committee to investigate the incident, following which a student was suspended for two years, and a written warning was issued to two others.

‘Revoke suspension, promote critical thinking’

“Students and faculty members shared with the fact-finding team that such hearings placed an unjustifiable responsibility on students for the incident on February 24. They also agree that the suspension of the student for two years is highly unjustified,” the report noted.

The fact-finding team urged the university to withdraw all charges against the SPARK-APU, revoke the suspension of the student and remove the restrictions on students’ activities which aim at promoting critical thinking.

When The Hindu reached out for a comment on Friday, the APU did not respond.