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Prayagraj, 10 May (HS). The Allahabad High Court has issued directions to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Government of India to ensure dissemination and implementation of the guidelines dated April 12, 2023 issued by the UGC. It contains provisions regarding reformation of delinquent students. The Court also directed the Banaras Hindu University to prepare a reformation program for the students facing disciplinary inquiry within 6 months as per the guidelines dated April 12, 2023 and the judgments of the Allahabad High Court.
Justice Ajay Bhanot gave this order on the petition of BHU student Raunak Mishra. The Court directed the UGC to organize regular workshops and seminars to create a library of collective experiences of various universities in these matters. This will enable universities to benefit from shared experiences and upgrade their programmes. The UGC Guidelines 12 April 2023 provide for the holistic development of students, including providing opportunities for improvement to students by directing universities to set up improvement and self-development programs for students.
In the cases of Anant Narayan Mishra vs. Union of India, Mohammed Ghayas vs. State of UP and others, and Piyush Yadav vs. Union of India and others, the Allahabad High Court had issued directions to BHU and UGC regarding reform and rehabilitation of those students. Against whom it was proposed to take disciplinary action. The UGC was directed to assist universities in developing and implementing such reform programmes. The court had given power to BHU to impose restrictions on students, including ban on entry into the campus, if necessary, which was included in the student's reform program as well as in the academic courses.
Regarding compliance with earlier directions of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Bhanot said that BHU has taken steps to incorporate the reform program in its statutes and Aligarh Muslim University has already incorporated it. The court said that the universities which come under UGC. It is their responsibility to implement the UGC guidelines dated 12th April 2023 and the UGC has to ensure that the guidelines are being implemented and complied with. Further, the Court held that in respect of Central Universities, the additional responsibility of ensuring compliance with such guidelines rests on the Government of India.
The High Court acknowledged that the guidelines set by the UGC as per the directions of the Court are moving towards the goal of nation building. The Court held that the punishment given to students should be proportionate to maintain a balance between institutional discipline and student reform. With regard to the suspension of the petitioner, the Court quashed the suspension order on the ground of violation of the principles of natural justice. The Court also observed that the records did not mention the nature of the action and the role of the students.
The court found that no serious circumstances had been brought on record to justify the punitive measure of suspension. This phenomenon should be seen in the light of the fact that young students often get carried away with youthful enthusiasm.