In a recent incident at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, Vysakh Premkumar, a fourth-year BTech student faced a one-year suspension
Vysakh Premkumar was recently suspended for his involvement in a protest opposing the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This action has sparked controversy by shedding light on the events that unfolded on the campus, involving alleged assaults and clashes of ideologies.
Who is Vysakh Premkumar NIT Calicut student suspended for protest on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, biography, batch and cast
Vysakh is a BTech student from the electronics and communication (EC) engineering department of the college.
A day after the Dalit student of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut, was suspended for a whole academic year for staging a ‘solo protest’ against a rangoli of India’s map in saffron colour, the institute put the suspension on hold after widespread protests by student organisations.
NIT-Calicut student Vysakh Premkumar 4th year BTech student got suspended for 1 year by Dean for creating unrest in campus by provoking students who were rejoicing along with Nation on the occasion of Ram Mandir Prathistadin pic.twitter.com/EYwA1ovvNK
— HKupdate (@HKupdate) January 31, 2024
Vysakh Premkumar, a fourth-year BTech student, was suspended “with immediate effect” on 31 January days after he staged the protest on 22 January.
On 21 January, a newly formed club at the institute called ‘Science and Spirituality’ organised a Gita Gyan event, in which various members of the NIT’s administrative body participated and after the programme, the members [of the club] drew a rangoli map of India in saffron and there was a bow and arrow inside the map.
The turmoil began when BTech student, Kailas, questioned members of a group known as the ‘Science and Spirituality Club,’ which had painted a saffron map of India with a bow and arrow, a symbol often associated with Lord Ram.
Kailas reportedly faced assault for his inquiries, prompting Vysakh Premkumar to intervene by raising a placard that read ‘India is not a Rama Rajya.’ The situation escalated as the club members responded with ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans and tore Vysakh’s placard.
Undeterred by the initial altercation, Vysakh returned with the same placard on two more occasions, each time met with hostility from the club members. On the third instance, the situation turned violent, and Vysakh was allegedly assaulted. The incident unfolded amidst a backdrop of conflicting ideologies, with Vysakh’s protest challenging the perceived association of religious symbols with the nation.
Some students rallied behind Vysakh Premkumar, engaging in a verbal brawl with the members of the ‘Science and Spirituality Club.’ These students, supporting Vysakh, raised placards echoing his message that ‘India is not a Rama Rajya.’ The clash of perspectives within the student community showcased the diversity of thought on campus.
Reports suggest that the police were called in to diffuse the escalating tensions. However, the students supporting Vysakh alleged that the police displayed hostility towards them while not taking action against the members of the ‘Science and Spirituality Club.’ This disparity in treatment further intensified the controversy surrounding the incident.
This decision reflects the administration’s concern about maintaining a peaceful and inclusive atmosphere on campus amidst the ongoing controversies.
Disciplinary action by Dean
The suspension of Vysakh Premkumar for a year, as stated in the order by the Dean (Students’ Welfare), cites his accountability for inciting unrest and lowering the institute’s esteem. The order also alludes to Vysakh being a repeat offender, having previously received a verbal warning for engaging in activities contrary to the student code of conduct.
The National Institute of Technology (#NIT), #Calicut has put on hold a controversial year-long suspension order issued to a student who protested against the #RamMandirConsecration ceremony in #UttarPradesh's #Ayodhya.#VysakhPremkumar, a Dalit student, was suspended on… pic.twitter.com/52rT0o8azU
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