Since more than 100 students skipped the morning assembly prayers, they would not be able to take the upcoming exams at Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College. In an email, the college management explained that this was taking place as a result of pupils being suspended because of their poor attendance in the morning assembly. In addition, students who skipped the prayers faced suspension from the classroom.
The decision is being opposed by many instructors and students. They claimed that it is unethical and against the liberal ethos of any higher education institution to force students to listen to religious texts, preach against their will, and force them to pray, possibly against their beliefs or religion.
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SUSPENSION E-MAIL TO ST. STEPHEN’S STUDENTS
The parents of these kids have received communications from the college administration. The college management requested that the parents meet with the principal as soon as possible in the email. This email is copied to IANS.
This is to kindly inform you that the principal had previously requested a meeting with you to discuss the poor attendance at the morning assembly. We regret to inform you that, despite our requests, you were unable to report to the principal’s office. Unfortunately, as a result of the student’s noncompliance with this request, I must notify you that the student will be suspended and will not be able to take the upcoming examinations. Please arrange for a time to meet with the principal as soon as possible.”
St. Stephen Suspends Students Over Assembly Absence
DISAGREEMENT AMONG TEACHER’S REGARDING THE SUSPENSION
Sanjeev Grewal, Head of Economics at St. Stephen’s College, sent a letter to the principal expressing his disagreement with the decision. He said in the letter that 140 first-year students who failed to show up for morning assembly would be suspended and would not be allowed to take exams.
He addressed the principal of St. Stephen’s in an open letter. “I am quite shocked to know that a large number of students have been suspended from college and that they have been threatened with having their ability to appear in exams denied,” Grewal wrote in his letter. According to me, a student may only be excluded from taking an exam for reasons that are specifically listed in the policies and procedures of the university. To the best of my knowledge, students cannot be prevented from taking the exams because they did not show up for the morning college assembly.”
The HOD continued, “Morning assembly is a St. Stephen’s College tradition; it is not recognized by the university, not to mention that it is a prerequisite for appearing in exams.” “It is not a valid reason for suspension from the college, in my humble opinion,” the HOD said.
According to him, it might be unlawful to require students to attend assembly because it violates their fundamental rights as stated in Articles 25 and 28(3) of the Constitution. Religious prayers and scripture readings have traditionally been a part of college assemblies. In certain educational institutions, there is freedom regarding attendance at religious instruction or religious service.
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STUDENT’S REACTION TO THE SUSPENSION E-MAIL
Under the condition of maintaining their anonymity, the student claimed that emails were sent on Saturday, February 17, to more than 100 St. Stephen’s College first-year students, suspending and disqualifying them from the exams for semester two. The explanation given was that these first-year students had not scheduled an appointment with the principal in response to the email that was received on Sunday, February 4, asking them to do the same because of their poor attendance in the morning assemblies during January.
“We, the first-year students of St. Stephen’s College, would like to convey our reasons for the missed appointments as well as our concerns over the consequences of this,” the students said in a letter to the college’s principal and senior members.
NAVIGATING THE PUZZLE OF ATTENDANCE AT SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH COLLEGE
PARENTS TO SET UP MEETINGS WITH ST. STEPHEN’S COLLEGE PRINCIPAL
Many Students, found it impossible to schedule an appointment since their parents do not reside in Delhi NCR. They were also unable to go to Delhi at short notice because of prior commitments, scheduling conflicts, and financial difficulties. However, some children tried to schedule an appointment without a guardian and were turned down, while others did not hear back from them when they sent emails or e-files requesting the appointments.
“In addition, to the extent that we are aware of the regulations outlined in the College Constitution and the University Rulebook, we would like clarification on the grounds for suspension as we were not aware that morning assembly attendance would have an impact on suspension and exclusion from college exams.” the students who were upset stated. To address the problem, a few parents have met with the administration.
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