Stephen's College bows to critics, withdraws student suspension

After receiving criticism for suspending over 100 students and barring them from appearing for examinations because they had not attended morning assembly, St Stephen's College, New Delhi, on Tuesday, 20 February, withdrew the decision.

It 'clarified' that its email sent to students was "incorrectly worded" and "miscommunicated".

In an email addressed to students and their parents, Stephen's College principal John Varghese clarified that there would be no suspension over lack of attendance at the morning assembly.

'On Saturday, 17th February 2024, an email was sent from my office. It was a miscommunication, incorrectly worded and my sincere apologies for that. I was also not copied on that email, a practice which is normally followed when I instruct my office to communicate, in written mode, on my behalf. Let me therefore set right the matter through this email,' the new email from Varghese read.

The principal also stated that the morning assembly held in the college is an old tradition, and not organised as a religious exercise, while pointing out that small portions of texts associated with several religions and philosophies are read out during assembly.

'Every college has its unique set of practices and traditions, and St Stephen’s College is no different. The morning assembly in College is an old tradition of the College. It is not a religious event even though small portions from several religious and philosophical texts are read out,' he wrote in the email.

Varghese added that students, especially those studying in the first year, are expected to attend the morning assembly to 'understand the history, traditions and practices' of the college.

Varghese also said the email was addressed to parents of students to keep them informed about the performance of their wards.

'Parents are important stakeholders in the broad-based, wholesome education that College provides, and it is in this spirit that parents were addressed in the incorrectly worded email. Inadvertent and serious errors crept into that email. My apologies for that,' he wrote, while adding that the college will continue to engage with parents of students for their welfare.

Varghese further requested that parents who had sought to but been unable to meet him should fix an appointment with his office to discuss the matter.

'Students are encouraged to attend the morning assembly and parents will continue to be kept informed of the performance of their wards,' he said.

Earlier in the day, teachers and students were upset over the suspension of first-year students, declared through an email barring them from attending their second-semester examination as they had not been attending the morning assembly.

The students said their parents were asked to meet the principal over the issue, failing which the students would be barred from sitting for the exam.

The students had said setting up an appointment was not feasible for many "since their parents do not live in Delhi-NCR and, hence, it wasn't possible for them to travel all the way to Delhi at short notice due to prior commitments, scheduling issues, and financial issues".

'Regrettably, due to non-compliance with the request, I inform you that the students will not be allowed to sit for the upcoming examination as consequences of the suspension,' the email sent to the students' parents and guardians read.

The students claimed that their attempts to fix an appointment with the office without their guardians were also rejected.

The move drew flak from all quarters, including teachers at the college, who said it was against university rules to "force" students to take part in a religious activity.

The teachers also demanded disciplinary action against the person who had sent the email.