BBAU Revokes Dalit PhD Scholar Basant Kannaujiya's Expulsion with 3-Month Thesis Deadline After 25-Day Protest Victory

Lucknow – Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) has revoked the expulsion of senior Dalit PhD scholar Basant Kumar Kannaujiya, a first-generation researcher in History enrolled for 14 years, following a 25-day peaceful dharna that drew nationwide and international solidarity. The decision, detailed in a Proctor's office letter responding to his December 3 representation, imposes strict conditions, including submitting his PhD thesis to his supervisor within three months. Kannaujiya called it a "victory of struggle and faith" in a grateful social media post. This resolution highlights the impact of Bahujan activism against institutional casteism.

The saga began in September with campus unrest over student welfare, where an inquiry accused Kannaujiya of instigating violence and breaching the VC's office. Citing his record of 14 prior notices since 2012, the Disciplinary Committee recommended expulsion on October 7-9, upheld by Vice Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal via Letter No. REG39500-L/BBAU/25 on November 14. Kannaujiya, denying the charges as fabricated and rooted in his Ambedkarite advocacy, started a sit-in outside the administrative building, facing police pressure and supporter suspensions.

The revocation letter states: "In response to your representation dated 03-12-2025 against your expulsion Vide Letter No. REG39500-L/BBAU/25 dated 14-11-2025, the expulsion has been revoked with immediate effect subject to fulfillment of the following conditions: 1. You will strictly follow the student's code of conduct of the University. 2. You will not indulge in any anti-social activity or protest and will follow directions given by university authorities in this regard. 3. You will not post any defamatory social media post against University Officers/Professors and will remove such social media posts posted in the past. 4. Submit the Ph.D. thesis to the supervisor within three months. Further violation of any of the above conditions will lead to disciplinary action without any notice & you shall be solely responsible for the same."

In his post, Kannaujiya thanked the VC profusely: "This decision secures my future and reflects the administration's sensitivity and justice. Amid hardships, it brings new hope. I commit to university rules and advancing my academics with dedication."

Key support came from Pondicherry University's Bahujan Students Front, Germany's Ambedkar Collective Göttingen, linking it to Rohith Vemula's tragedy and visits by MPs Chandrashekhar Azad and Tanuj Punia. Ramji Gautam's parliamentary push proved decisive.