St Stephen's College Withdrew Suspension Of Students; Principal Apologies For "Miscommunication" (image: screen grab/ststephens.edu/)

Delhi University’s St Stephen’s College on Wednesday withdrew its suspension of over 100 students and in an email, the principal extended apology over the “miscommunication”.

It was on February 17, more than 100 first-year students of the college suspended “for not attending the morning assembly”. Besides, the email said that the students would be debarred from appearing in the upcoming second-semester examinations.

The students and teachers have written to John Varghese, principal of the college, appealing to him to immediately withdraw the order. But, there was no immediate response from the college administration.

When the protest ensued, questioning the basis of the email, in an email on Wednesday, the principal said: “It was a miscommunication, incorrectly worded and my sincere apologies for that,” The Times of India reports.

“I was also not copied on that email, a practice which is normally followed when I instruct my office to communicate, in written mode, on my behalf. Let me therefore set right the matter through this email,” letter added.

On February 4, the college administration had sent an email to the students extending concern over their absence from morning assembly session and has requested to set up an appointment with the principal. The letter added that parents should also present at the meeting.

Following email on February 17, the college informed about the suspension as a penalty for student”s failure to hold appointment with the principal. “Regrettably, due to non-compliance with this request, I inform you that the student will not be permitted to sit for the upcoming examinations as a consequence of suspension,” the email read.

The students, in a collective reply to the principal’s mail, claimed that setting an appointment was not practicable since their parents do not live in Delhi-NCR.

Meanwhile, opposing college administration”s decision, Associate Professor Sanjeev Grewal also written to the principal that making assembly attendance compulsory may be violative of the fundamental rights of students under Articles 25 and 28(3) of the Constitution.