The suspension of third-year Philosophy student Devansh Mehta by St Stephen’s College in New Delhi for the publication of an e-zine has rattled the institution’s alumni.
The fracas has blown up into something much, much larger than a mere student-principal row – it has snowballed into a case for freedom of expression and the imperative to protest.
The college’s “old boys and girls” network has particularly come down hard on the principal, rebuking his actions.
It’s shameful that a college which stands for the highest liberal arts culture in the country is actually falling prey to the lowly ‘ban’ culture. I strongly support Devansh Mehta and his fight for freedom of expression. I can only hope that the college sees the light and reinstates him.
– Sanjay Ray Chaudhuri, Former Non-Executive Director of Network18 Media & Investments Limited
St. Stephen’s has always been extremely high-handed and this is nothing new. It’s made it clear time and time again that it really doesn’t care for its students. Students who complain about the authorities are barred from taking exams, students who protest against residence (hostel) conditions are kicked out of the hostels. It seems more like a high school than a college.
– Rahul Ram, Bass Guitarist, Indian Ocean
Well, I couldn’t really compare my case to this one (former Under-19 Captain Unmukt Chand had been barred from taking exams due to low attendance during the Under-19 Cricket World Cup)—my case was that I didn’t have sufficient attendance. Nor would I like to comment against my college, but the truth is I’m still struggling to balance college and matches and it hasn’t been easy.
While individual teachers have been lenient, overall the college’s attitude towards my game hasn’t been very supportive. I haven’t ever been able to sit for any internals (college exams before the University finals) and have had zeroes throughout, but there’s never been an attempt to help me out there. Fair enough. I’m not completely aware of everything that’s happened with Devansh and nor do I have anything against the Principal, but I do know that we need a stronger case for freedom of expression.
– Unmukt Chand, Indian Cricketer
The faculty of St. Stephen’s is the best in the country. If the faculty is backing the boy it must be for a reason. They won’t just back someone for the heck of it.
– Richa Chadda, Bollywood ActorIt’s sad and awful and obviously goes completely against the whole idea of freedom of expression. It is particularly a big setback to what the college once stood for—at least during my time. I don’t remember St. Stephen’s being the way it is now.
– Sanjoy Majumder, India Correspondent for BBC News
This row is the latest in a long, seemingly endless line of controversies that Principal Thampu has found himself mired in. In 2013, an angry student body had demanded parity in curfew timings between male and female residents on campus. At the time, Thampu had bowed to pressure. But at a General Body Meeting he refused to answer uncomfortable questions on patriarchy and called men and women as different as “apples and oranges, stones and eggs”. An administrative officer had also last December accused the principal of “mentally torturing” him to convert to Christianity.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has stayed the suspension order against Devansh Mehta, after the student moved the Delhi High Court in a writ petition. The Delhi High Court has sent a notice to the college.
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