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Granting interim relief to a student, the Madras High Court has stayed his rustication by the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) on the charge of putting up

anti-national graffiti — ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Free Palestine’ — in the hostel. Passing interim orders on a petition by S Aslam, challenging the rustication as illegal and arbitrary, Justice TV

Tamilselvi observed that disallowing the student from appearing for the final semester examinations and the internship programme would result in undue hardship. Hence, the judge directed the

RGNIYD to allow the student to appear for the examination as well as in the placement programme of the institute. Advertisement Designated as an institute of national importance and

functioning under the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the RGNIYD at Sri Perumpudur attracts students from across the country. The petitioner, Aslam, is pursuing final year Master

of Social Work (MSW). Along with Aslam, the institute had rusticated two other students, Sayeed MA and Nahal Ibnu Abullaise, on May 25, following an inspection of the hostel rooms by the

authorities, led by Assistant Registrar Avinav Thakur. Advertisement During the inspection, the Assistant Registrar, accompanied by the Warden and Assistant Warden, found the graffiti

reading ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Free Palestine’, which was considered ‘anti-national’ in nature, leading to the expulsion of the students from the institute. Of the three who were rusticated, only

Aslam had approached the court. In his petition, Aslam submitted that the inquiry into the alleged defacement was a sham as it was held in an ‘illegal and arbitrary’ manner. Debunking the

inquiry as flawed, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the specific charges were neither communicated to the student nor was he afforded an opportunity to respond. Further, the inquiry

panel had refused to consider documentary evidence submitted by the student, he told the court, adding that the petitioner’s plea through e-mail to the institute director to permit him to

appear in the examination elicited no response. Further, the petitioner submitted that Assistant Registrar Avinav Thakur harboured ill will towards the students since they had exposed a

pending sexual assault complaint against him. Hence, he had influenced the inquiry, it was argued. The judge, observing that the student is at the end of the academic programme, stayed the

impugned order of rustication and ordered the Director of the institute to reschedule the examination for the petitioner and permit him to take part in the placement programme. The institute

was also directed to include him in the institute’s WhatsApp group, like other students, and posted the matter for further hearing on June 25. Advertisement