Presidency University Expels Two Girls
The girl, who has a CGPA of 9 and earned a gold medal in her UG, said she was accompanying the former student, Olivia Banerjee, who scribbled the slogans on the banner. “We were called on Oct 30 to depose our statements before the inquiry panel. This attitude from the administration—whether from the Presidency’s political or administrative space—is beyond my expectation,” said the former student, who received the all-rounder award in 2024 in her PG-1.
Kolkata: A day after a current and a former student at Presidency University were expelled from studentship and post-studentship academic activities allegedly for defacing an ABVP poster, the PG girl said she did not write the abusive words on the banner featuring Vivekananda ’s image. Despite apologising to the university’s inquiry committee for what she conceded was an “irrational act” and appealing for consideration, she felt the expulsion was “disproportionate” because their act neither damaged university property nor threatened anyone’s life. I said I did not write the abusive words on the ABVP banner. I also mentioned to the panel that the slogans were written on the banner targeting the organisation, with whom our political ideology differs and was not an insult to Vivekananda,” the gold-medallist told TOI . “I told the panel that I did it. I told her it was an ABVP banner, and not a Vivekananda poster as they are trying to brand it.
Olivia recently cleared her PG exams. It was written by an ex-student. I was accompanying her. I tendered a written apology to the committee, saying it was an irrational act and in hindsight, I would not have done it. Olivia reportedly confessed to scribbling the slogan on the ABVP banner. A professor repeatedly asked me why I wrote on Vivekananda’s poster. The writing of the slogans was a spontaneous outburst of anger and frustration at the organisation as right-wing supporters were vandalising educational institutes. The attitude of the inquiry panel also shocked me as they tried to put forward the ABVP’s narrative. The university authorities did not want to comment.
I will appeal to the vice-chancellor for reconsideration but the university seems to be under some external pressure. ” Earlier reporting noted: Presidency University expels 2 girls for defacing ABVP banner with Vivekananda image Presidency University Earlier reporting noted: Kolkata: Two female students have been expelled from Presidency University for writing abusive words on an ABVP banner bearing Swami Vivekananda ’s image. Because of what my humanities discipline has taught me, i have lost hope in my institute’s political culture but I am holding on.
Earlier reporting noted: One is a gold medal-winning postgraduate student, while the other has recently cleared her PG exams but remains involved in “post-studentship” academic activities. The student, now in her PG second year, has a few months left before getting her postgraduation degree. “I am in a vulnerable state. I don’t think we did anything to warrant such a disproportionate punishment. The act hasn’t threatened anyone’s life or destroyed university property. They have also been barred from admission to any future degree programme at the university.
She added, “It was communicated to me by a few seniors that if I apologise, the university will not take harsh action against me. But now, my apology holds no meaning. I feel deceived.”