The Delhi University opposed a plea by Lokesh Chugh, a leader of Congress’ student wing, who was debarred for one year for allegedly being involved in the screening of a controversial BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots. The university said that Chugh indulged in gross indiscipline and tarnished the image of the institution. The university acted on the basis of a newspaper report on “banning the BBC documentary” and several people, including Chugh, assembled on the campus to screen the documentary in violation of Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure imposed by police authorities. Chugh claimed that he was not involved in the screening, but the DU said that he was instrumental in inciting other students and indulging in petty politics, which was detrimental to discipline and was causing disruption in academic functioning.
The university’s reply stated that Chugh participated in the “showing” of the banned BBC Documentary on January 27, 2023, at 4:00 PM in front of Gate No. 4, Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi. The reply also denied that Chugh is a sincere student and submitted that he indulged in a gross act of indiscipline which has tarnished the image of the University, which is otherwise a premier educational institution in India. The university prayed that the petition be dismissed with costs.
