Expulsion of 73 students: IIT-Roorkee’s action invites widespread criticism

The Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee’s decision to expel 73 students for underperformance is being stoned by critics for academic ruthlessness.

The Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee’s decision to expel 73 students for underperformance is being stoned by critics for academic ruthlessness.

“A big chunk of these expelled students are from the weaker section of society. But that doesn’t mean they are very poor in studies. After all, they have passed Class 10 and 12 with merits,” said Gaurav Sharma, head of Garhwal zone of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (AVBP), who staged a sit-in supporting the students in front of the IIT gate on Monday.

“And if these students could not perform in the institute (IIT), it is not their fault but a failure of the system (teaching at the IIT),” he said.

Around 21 students of 73 students were from Meena community, which is entitled to reservation in admission under the Scheduled Tribes category.

Some of the students and their parents are seeking legal opinion to challenge the institute’s decision.
The rule mandating expulsion of students who scored less than 5 points on the 10-point scale of cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for two consecutive semesters was framed last year by the premier autonomous institute to ensure “quality education.”

The critics who panned the decision said the onus was on the institute to shape up the students. A former professor of the institute, Devendra Bhargava said: “The action of IIT in expelling the students is morally incorrect. Their parents had given custody of their children to the institute so the responsibility of their development and performance fall on the shoulders of the administration.”