Claiming that the restriction order of a Dalit PhD scholar Koonal Duggal from the premises of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) campus in Hyderabad was unlawful, students of the university held a demonstration at the Ambedkar Statue on Tank Bund on Wednesday .
Times of India reported:
The protesters demanded the `restriction order' against the scholar be withdrawn and action be taken against proctor Prakash Kona Reddy for his `undemocratic decision'.They also announced that an exhibition would be held on EFLU campus showcasing the artwork by Koonal, who is a visiting faculty of fine arts at the University of Hyderabad.
The entire incident started when Koonal alleged that he was dragged out of campus on the eve of B R Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary for speaking out against atrocities on Dalit students.
Following this, the student filed a police complaint against proctor Prakash Kona, with the Osmania University police.
In his FIR, Duggal said that in a clear case of high-handedness and arbitrariness, four security guards dragged him out from the venue in front of fellow students and teachers and treated him as a criminal, thereby causing him much public humiliation and embarrassment.
“When I enquired why I had to be removed from the venue, I was informed that the security guards have received an order “restricting” my entry into EFL University campus, where I currently study. I was told that I should go and talk to Prakash Kona Reddy, who as the Proctor had issued the order. I was never priorly informed on such a restricting order. I have not participated in any unlawful activities,” the FIR states.
"The university management actively disrupted the Ambedkar Jayanti programme organised this year. Moreover, the university rejected the students' petition to invite eminent Dalit and Ambedkar scholars and activists speak to students on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti...The university has also removed all portraits of anti-caste leaders such as Ambedkar, Periyar, Jotiba Phule and Savitri Bai Phule from the library," TOI quoted a statement by the EFLU-JAC as saying.
The university has claimed that Koonal was 'a key member in a lot of anti-university activities,' but has refused to elaborate on the matter.