New Delhi— Students have been protesting at the South Asian University (SAU) for the last one and a half months over their demands. The students also sat on a hunger strike. Meanwhile, 5 students of the University had been expelled. But the expulsion of 3 students has been revoked after their health deteriorated. As per the notice issued in November, the students expelled have also been fined. Two students have also been expelled from the university due to which they are forced to live in the area of protest.

The Mooknayak spoke to expelled research scholar Bhimraj M. Bhimraj, who belongs to Tamil Nadu and is pursuing PhD in law at the varsity. He said that he is with the students since the first day. "Meanwhile 5 students were expelled in the November month in the first week of November. After which the students sat on a hunger Strike. The health of some students deteriorated during this. They were admitted to the hospital and I was among them. The condition was such that one student developed symptoms of a heart attack.

"During this, the administration was made aware of the incident in the University. As a consequence, the duration of suspension of some students was reduced," Bhimraj says, "This whole incident dates to the last week of November. Another notice was issued on the 25^th of November in which I along with Umesh Joshi were expelled."

Will not be able to go to Oxford if the notice is not revoked

After being expelled from the University, the students talked to some eminent persons but there was no positive response from anyone. Bhimraj says "Being an International University, there is no implementation of Reservation Policy. Due to which students from depressed classes are rarely able to reach here. Out of the total 400 students, only two are Dalits, I am one of them and they have expelled me"

Bhimraj is JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) qualified candidate, his biggest worry is that if his expulsion is not revoked then his career could come to an end. Additionally, he would have to return three years' money of fellowship. It is not possible. And as he is a JRF-qualified candidate, the amount of his fellowship is considerable. Bhim Raj has also received a scholarship from Oxford and if the notice is not revoked then he won't be able to go to Oxford in 2023.

It is to be noted that the major demand of the students is to increase the stipend given to foreign scholars and MA students. The biggest impact of Corona has been on Education. Many scholars were not able to complete their research work. An extension is being demanded considering this issue. Research Scholars at the South Asian University are demanding that they be given paid extensions. Their other demand is to induct a Student Representative in the team set up to probe the allegation of harassment of students.

Students from the SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation) countries come to the varsity of study, its main objective is cultural and social exchange. But this university is in the news for the last two months. The students have been protesting over their demands. But there is no cooperation from the administration.

(Story Translated by Pratikshit Singh)