A student at Azim Premji University was suspended after being accused of harassing a fellow-Muslim student verbally and physically.
Rishi Tiwari, a postgraduate student of MA Development who was suspended after a Muslim student complained about the hate crime and a group of students staged protests demanding the punishment.
Tiwari is associated with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of Hindu militant organisation RSS, students told Maktoob.
The incident happened on 1 May. On 1 May, the Muslim student had come to break his fast (Roza) near KGA hostel when Tiwari began to abuse him, threw food on him and went on to spit on his face.
Soon after the suspension, a group of students said they are not satisfied with the University’s decision, a postgraduate student said to Maktoob.
“This is a hate crime and this should be taken in a very serious manner,” she said.
“As told to us by the university authorities, ‘serious punitive action’ was taken against the perpetrator but we as a student body disagree vehemently with this sentiment,” read a statement by ‘Concerned Students of Azim Premji University.”
“There needs to be expulsion of the perpetrator or at least a full one-year suspension,” they said.
The collective called Tiwari’s act “Islamophobic.”
“The anti-ragging cell should take this issue into cognizance as an act of ragging and as we signed anti-ragging affidavits before joining the University, the punishment should be meted out as such,” the statement noted.
