St. Stephen’s College Faces Backlash for Suspending 100 Students over Assembly Attendance

Web India News

Faridabad, 20 February: St. Stephen’s College in Delhi is embroiled in controversy after suspending nearly 100 first-year students and threatening them with an exam ban for skipping mandatory morning assemblies. The college alleges that these students failed to respond to emails requesting meetings with the principal due to low attendance in January assemblies.

However, the suspensions have ignited criticism from both students and faculty. Students argue that the short notice and logistical challenges, particularly for those with parents living outside Delhi, made it difficult to arrange meetings. Additionally, a teacher voiced concerns about the impact of suspensions on students missing classes.

Beyond logistical issues, legal questions have also emerged. Professor Sanjeev Grewal argues that mandatory assembly attendance potentially violates students’ fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 25 and 28(3) of the Indian Constitution, particularly concerning freedom of religion and equality. He points out that the assemblies involve religious elements, potentially alienating non-Christian students, and are not even officially recognized by the university.

In response to the controversy, students and faculty have jointly appealed to Principal John Varghese, urging him to:

·         Immediately revoke the suspensions and exam ban threats.

·         Make assembly attendance voluntary to respect religious freedom.

·         Treat disciplinary action as a last resort.

As of yet, the college administration has remained silent on the matter. This incident has sparked a crucial debate about the role of religious activities in educational institutions and the proportionality of punishments for non-compliance with mandatory practices.