On Martyr’s Day, Students Expelled from Wardha’s Gandhi University Say: "Gandhi’s Philosophy is Dead Here"

Wardha, Maharashtra: As the nation commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom on January 30, chaos and controversy engulf the university named after him—Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (MGAHU), Wardha.

Allegations of administrative corruption, suppression of dissent, and the illegal expulsion of 5 students have put the institution under national scrutiny for some time now. Two expelled PhD scholars—Rajesh Sarthi and Ramchandra—have moved the Bombay High Court against their indefinite expulsion, highlighting a deep-rooted crisis at the university that contradicts the very ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

Speaking to The Mooknayak, expelled student Rajesh Sarthi expressed his frustration, stating, "Even those in the Gandhian Studies department are spineless and do not dare to speak against wrongdoing. Gandhi is being killed every day in an institution dedicated to his name."

The students allege that MGAHU has abandoned Gandhi’s principles of truth, justice, and non-violence, instead turning into a center of corruption and authoritarian rule. There was a gross violation of judicial process and natural justice in the expulsion of the students. This step was taken to suppress the voice of the students and silence the anti-corruption voice.

Similarly, irregularities have been pointed out in the PhD admission process. Despite the completion of the PhD admission process in 2022, the results have not been declared yet. Due to this, the future of more than 100 students is hanging in the balance. The PhD Admission process for 2023 & 2024 has not happened.

The executive council and academic meetings are not being organised on time in the university hampering decision making process. " SInce our illegal expulsions, we have been continuously writing to authorities, higher education department, ministry and even to the President of India but nothing has materialised. The officials do not respond to issues raised by students, at all," Rajesh asserts.

Expulsions Without Due Process: A Pattern of Suppression

On January 27, 2024, five students—Dr. Rajnish Kumar Ambedkar, Ram Chandra, Rajesh Kumar Yadav, Niranjan Kumar, and Vivek Mishra—were expelled after they protested during the Republic Day address of Acting Vice-Chancellor Bhimrao Maitri and later posted about it on social media. The expulsion order was issued within hours without an inquiry, violating principles of natural justice.

PhD scholar Ramchandra, a student of Women’s Studies at MGAHU’s Prayagraj center, was indefinitely suspended without a hearing or prior notice. His suspension order, signed by the registrar, provided no justification, effectively stalling his academic progress.

Vivek Mishra and Niranjan Kumar immediately approached the Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench and obtained relief from eviction.

Due to financial constraints, Ram Chandra , Rajesh Kumar Yadav and Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Ambedkar could not go to court at that time. But in November 2024, both Rajesh and Ramchandra filed petitions in the Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench, seeking relief from their unjust expulsions. Their cases expose the systematic suppression of Dalit-Bahujan voices on campus.

Silencing Dalit-Bahujan Voices

"The university has a long history of suppressing dissenting voices," alleges Rajneesh Kumar Ambedkar, a scholar who has spent 13 years at Wardha's Gandhi University. His academic journey at the institution includes an MPhil, two Master's degrees, and a PhD, giving him a deep insight into the university's functioning.

As a prominent voice in the Ambedkar Students Forum, Rajneesh speaks from personal experience. "The university operates outside UGC guidelines and the University Act. The administration has consistently shown indifference to student concerns. Those who raise their voices face serious consequences - rustication, show cause notices, or expulsion," he explains. His own story stands testament to this pattern, having faced expulsion three times during his academic tenure.

Currently residing in Wardha with his wife and UKG-going daughter, Rajneesh, who hails from Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, faces new challenges. Despite paying full fees for a one-year Diploma in Forensics, including charges for hospital facilities, his expulsion has severely restricted his access to essential services. "I can't even enter the campus now. This means no access to the hospital or bank facilities located inside," he shares.

Targeting of Senior Dalit Professor and Administrative Irregularities

The crisis at MGAHU is not just limited to students. Senior Dalit professor Dr. Lella Karunyakara , who challenged the appointment of Bhimrao Maitri as Acting Vice Chancellor, was suspended in retaliation. His suspension has extended for over a year, despite a legal battle questioning its legitimacy.

The irregularities at MGAHU go beyond suspensions:

• Corrupt Appointments: Former Acting Registrar Dharvesh Katheria was accused of financial misconduct but remained unpunished.

• Sexual Exploitation in Recruitment: During the tenure of former Vice Chancellor Rajneesh Shukla, there were allegations of irregularities and sexual exploitation in more than 50 teacher appointments, due to which he had to resign without completing his tenure.

• Delayed PhD Admissions: The 2022 PhD admission results remain undeclared, leaving over 100 students in limbo.

• Non-Functioning Executive Council: Important academic and administrative decisions remain stalled.

• Contempt of Court: Despite a High Court order reinstating expelled students Vivek Mishra and Niranjan Kumar, the administration refused to reinstate others, forcing further legal battles.

"The university's disregard for the RTI Act, a constitutional provision, is deeply concerning," says Ramchandra, highlighting a pattern of selective rule enforcement. "While they meticulously apply regulations to control student behavior, even for minor infractions, they remain unresponsive to legitimate student grievances."

He points to his own case as an example of the administration's arbitrary actions. "I was denied the basic right to present my side. The administration took severe action over two Facebook posts about university-related incidents, without following due process," Ramchandra explains.

The irony of the situation isn't lost on him. "This institution was founded with noble aims - to promote education, research, and social justice. Instead, it has transformed into a symbol of corruption and administrative authoritarianism," he observes, highlighting the stark contrast between the university's founding principles and its current state.

At the latest hearing on January 23, 2025, the university sought two weeks to respond, a move students see as a deliberate delay tactic. The expelled students face financial constraints, making prolonged legal battles a challenge.

The students are demanding immediate reinstatement of all affected students, strict action against corrupt administrators. compensation for academic, mental, and financial loss and transparency and accountability in governance.

An Institution in Crisis: Far from Gandhi’s Ideals

What was envisioned as a global center for Hindi learning and Gandhian philosophy has instead become a symbol of bureaucratic tyranny. Faculty members and students say the campus atmosphere is increasingly authoritarian, with dissenters silenced through expulsions, suspensions, and administrative harassment.

"There's a clear pattern of ideological bias in how university resources are allocated," alleges Rajesh, pointing to what he sees as preferential treatment given to certain organizations. "While students face restrictions in accessing campus facilities, RSS gets to use the auditorium and university spaces free of charge."

“I have lost a year of my PhD, my fellowship, and my mental peace. With false allegations against me, no other university will admit me now. I have no choice but to fight legally and return here,” Rajesh stated.

As the nation remembers Gandhi on January 30, the irony is stark—his philosophy of non-violence and justice finds no place in the very institution that bears his name.