DUET put on notice on plea of students against disciplinary action

The Sindh High Court issued notices to Dawood University of Engineering and Technology and others to file comments on a petition of students challenging show-cause notices issued to them by the university for celebrating a day of colours day on campus.

Petitioners Waseem Ahmed Jamali and other students submitted that they organized a cultural activity called "Colours Day" in solidarity with their Hindu students/friends of the university on the occasion of their religious festival known as Holi, which was held peacefully without any violence.

They said the Hindu students, including the petitioners, had submitted proper applications to the authorities for permission to celebrate the colour day event; however, university had not provided approval, NOC, or response till to date.

They said that despite the peaceful nature of the event, the university administration falsely alleged violence and filed an FIR against them. They said they university also issued show-cause notices to them and banned their entry in the campus.

Their counsel Faizullah Mallano submitted that the university administration has maliciously harassed and threatened the students and the university's syndicate decided to suspend/rusticate the petitioners.

He submitted that the petitioners’ academic journey has been adversely affected due to the administration's personal animosity and harassment. The counsel submitted that the impugned show-cause notices were issued without providing the petitioners with an opportunity to be heard, violating the principles of natural justice by restricting their entry in the university premises.

The counsel sought suspension of the impugned notices to ensure the continuation of their education in a safe and impartial environment since the Hindu students moved proper applications to the authorities for permission, but till yet no response had been received or approval or NOC received from concerned authorities.

The court was requested to declare the impugned show-cause notices and syndicate decision as unlawful and restore their admissions as students of the university. A division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro, after preliminary hearing of the petition, issued notices to DUET and in the meantime ordered that petitioners be allowed to reply to their show-cause notices through any mode, including but not limited to, portal which may be opened for online registration.