NLIU Students Accuse Director Of Corruption, Sexism, Casteism & Moral Policing; Demand His Resignation

Having staged an indefinite protest over several issues since yesterday, the students of National Law Institute University, Bhopal have now demanded resignation of their Director, Prof. (Dr.) S.S. Singh.

In a recent release, the students have accused Dr. Singh of corruption, claiming that he had perpetuated a "despotic regime".  The release also cites multiple instances of the Director having indulged in moral policing and making sexist comments against female students. Citing such an incident, the release states:

""Tum jaisi ladkiyan apni sharam izzat bech ke aati hain", a female student was told by Prof. S. S. Singh. In a show of blatant sexism and moral policing, the director called the student in question to his office to malign her character based on her clothing in front of three other male members of the administration, even going as far to make her sign an undertaking to wear "decent" clothing!

Additionally, the Administration threatened to suspend the student, going as far as to put pressure on the warden regarding the student's clothing to prevent media involvement. Because of such incidents, the entire female population of the student body has lost confidence in the Administration and faculty, who not only fails to protect them from sexism and discrimination, but itself is the perpetrator."

Dr. Singh has further been accused of instigating "hatred against the scheduled castes and tribes, in addition to looking down on them". The issue of denial of medical leave has also left several students aghast at the insensitivity of the institution.

With these alleged instances having eroded their confidence in the college administration, the students now seek Dr. Singh's resignation, stating, "Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Singh's attitude has been nothing but cruel and malicious while dealing with other issues of the students as well. Other than a general apathy and insensitivity, he has been openly antagonistic, using his position of power to get away without any consequences. But the student body will stand for no more injustice. The unanimous and uncompromising demand of the students is the immediate and unconditional resignation of the director."

Here is the full text of the release:

In a raging protest that has continued from yesterday, students of NLIU have demanded the immediate resignation of the director, Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Singh. Fed up with the tyrannical practices and despotic regime that the inefficient and corrupt director has perpetuated, the students have decided to sit out on an indefinite protest. The college has come to a standstill because of the student body's new age Satyagraha.

Multiple instances of rampant corruption, sexism, casteism, moral policing, and lack of financial transparency have made the student body lose confidence in the autocratic rule that has subsisted for the past ten years.  

What happened in NLIU to an aggrieved student belonging to a reserved category whose sister was suffering from the same cancer his mother had passed away from, when he asked for an attendance exemption on humanitarian grounds because he was the sole breadwinner of the family? The Director said "humanitarian grounds pe college nai khol rakha. Mere college mein aisa nai hota" (there is no place for humanitarian grounds in "his" college.) When his friend stepped in to plead for the victim's cause, stating that the student's father had been in an accident, he was told by Dr. S. S. Singh that since he (the friend) was from the general category, he should not be defending someone from the reserved category! He even tried to instigate hatred against the scheduled castes and tribes, in addition to looking down on them, stating "mujhe pata hai ye kis category ka hai, tum kyun support kar rahe ho? Inki wajah se tumhari opportunities jaa rahin hain." The victim, who got a year back because of the director's bigotry, could not even come forward to complain against him under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act because of fear of academic consequences. 

"Tum jaisi ladkiyan apni sharam izzat bech ke aati hain", a female student was told by Prof. S. S. Singh. In a show of blatant sexism and moral policing, the director called the student in question to his office to malign her character based on her clothing in front of three other male members of the administration, even going as far to make her sign an undertaking to wear "decent" clothing! Additionally, the Administration threatened to suspend the student, going as far as to put pressure on the warden regarding the student's clothing to prevent media involvement. Because of such incidents, the entire female population of the student body has lost confidence in the Administration and faculty, who not only fails to protect them from sexism and discrimination, but itself is the perpetrator.

If sexism and casteism weren't enough, the Director has, in multiple instances, denied medical leave on humanitarian ground. The Administration refused to accommodate students suffering from ailments, multiple fractures, and other medical conditions, even refusing to provide a stretcher for a student so she could attend class. Furthermore, when the director was approached for medical exemption, he alleged that her reports were fabricated and said, "aap rote raho, mai yahi baitha rahunga" (you can keep crying, I'm going to stay here itself), resulting in the student being unable to give her exams. 

Prof. (Dr.) S. S. Singh's attitude has been nothing but cruel and malicious while dealing with other issues of the students as well. Other than a general apathy and insensitivity, he has been openly antagonistic, using his position of power to get away without any consequences. But the student body will stand for no more injustice. The unanimous and uncompromising demand of the students is the immediate and unconditional resignation of the director.