Presidency University expulsion row: Gayatri Pal seeks withdrawal of action over ABVP poster

A controversy over objectionable language used on posters put up by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Presidency University in Kolkata has intensified, with expelled student Gayatri Pal writing to the university authorities seeking the withdrawal of the disciplinary action against her.

Pal, a second-year postgraduate student in the university's Department of Sociology, has denied any involvement in writing the objectionable words on the posters. She argued that she was merely present at the spot and had accompanied an alumnus while standing at a distance. With only a few months remaining before the completion of her course, she has questioned why she should face the severe punishment of expulsion.

The controversy centres on posters carrying images of Swami Vivekananda, on which allegedly offensive language was written. The university had expelled Pal and another student, former student Olivia Bandyopadhyay, over allegations of using abusive language against other organisations and writing objectionable words on the posters.

Gayatri questions investigation and disciplinary action

In her latest communication to the university, Pal has sought the withdrawal of the expulsion order and the decision taken by the inquiry committee. She has also demanded that the relevant documents concerning the investigation be made public.

Earlier, in a letter to the Dean of Students, Pal had raised concerns over the transparency of the inquiry process. She alleged that she was not shown the CCTV footage examined during the investigation and was not given an adequate opportunity to present her defence.

Pal maintained that she had no role in writing the objectionable words and questioned the basis on which the university had held her responsible for the incident.

Olivia Bandyopadhyay, the other student expelled in the case, had also sought the withdrawal of the disciplinary action and disclosure of the relevant investigation records.

Olivia admits writing objectionable words, denies insulting Vivekananda

The controversy began after allegations that Olivia and Gayatri had written objectionable words on ABVP posters displayed on the university campus. The posters also featured Swami Vivekananda's photograph, with the word 'rapist' allegedly appearing on one of them.

Following the incident, the university authorities decided to expel both students.

However, according to reports, Olivia has now admitted that she wrote the abusive words on the posters. She has maintained that her remarks were directed at the ABVP and were not intended to insult Swami Vivekananda.

The university's disciplinary action and the students' objections to the inquiry process have consequently become central to the controversy, with Pal continuing to demand that the expulsion decision be revoked.