Jamia Millia Islamia University today told Delhi High Court that it was not open to taking a lenient approach towards a student expelled for two years for "gangsterism" and indulging in activities intending to create rift among different sects.
"It (Jamia) is a different university. Any indulgence can be problematic in this varsity. It is surrounded by localities where majority of residents are of minority community. Taking a lenient view would send a disastrous message," the counsel for Jamia told a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana.
Varsity's counsel M Atyab Siddiqui said it is with strenuous efforts that normalcy has been restored on Jamia's campus and conflicts have given way to academic atmosphere.
He said the atmosphere is still considered brittle and the disciplinary committee thought it proper to take strict action for the incidents that happened in phases in 2013.
The bench was hearing the plea of a student of II year M Tech who was expelled from the varsity after an inquiry found him guilty of plastering pamphlets and inviting a speaker to deliver a religious discourse last year.
The student had come in appeal against the order of a single judge who denied him any relief saying "Considering the nature of material contained in the pamphlets no exception to the action of the University can be taken by any right minded person."
He said he should be allowed to take examination and told the court that he is a topper in his course and belongs to a Below Poverty Line family.
The Chief Justice asked the varsity if the expelled student can be allowed to write the examination, to which its counsel said he does not have required attendance for the same.
The student in turn said the varsity is trying to make him an example for others without any fault of his.
The bench has now asked the varsity to see whether he can be allowed to take examination.
