Civil rights activists and APU alumni are rallying behind students, demanding the revocation of an FIR filed by the university administration. The controversy stems from the students' publication of an event invite related to the Kunan Poshpora 1991, without securing prior approval from the university authorities. This incident has sparked a heated debate, with several organizations and alumni criticizing the university's actions.
The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), and Bahutva Karnataka have all come out in support of the students. PUCL president Arvind Narain emphasized the university's responsibility to foster open dialogue, even on sensitive topics. He argued that the administration's decision to file an FIR in response to a vigilante action on campus is a violation of the constitutional mandate to encourage scientific thinking, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry and reform.
Narain further called on the Karnataka government to withdraw the prosecution against the students and urged law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. Bahutva Karnataka's letter to APU Vice-Chancellor Richa Govil echoed these sentiments, demanding the withdrawal of the non-bailable FIR and the punishment of those responsible for the assault and property damage. The organization also emphasized the university's duty to protect the fundamental rights of its students.
This incident has raised concerns about academic freedom and the role of universities in fostering open dialogue. The debate continues as to whether the university's actions were justified or an overreach of authority, with many advocating for a reevaluation of the FIR and the university's response to the students' event invite.
