University student expelled for protesting against online classes

Students in Islamabad gathered outside the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to protest against online classes conducted by the universities. Later, one student from the Capital University of Science and Technology, Usman Mehmood, got expelled for raising his voice on social media platforms.

Mehmood voiced the concerns of many university students. The Capital University of Science and Technology student had been sharing the demands of students on social media.

We reject All this nonsense. Now that we all are united. We are coming to bring you down @hecpkofficial #WeRejectOnlineClasses pic.twitter.com/dk2XkB3uhl

— Usman Mehmood (@UsmanMe24444327) April 5, 2020

Usman received the letter from his university, deeming him ‘in violation of university discipline.’  

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Human Rights, responded to Usman’s tweet saying he was within his constitutional rights while protesting peacefully and said that the VC of the university will be called to the committee to explain why a student was expelled for exercising his rights.

Your case will be shared with #HEC and if not reinstated, whoever is VC of ur university, he/she will b called to the committee. You were well within ur constitutional right to protest and raise ur voice https://t.co/64bV2mpNN7

— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) June 9, 2020

In an earlier post, Mustafa Nawaz had addressed the issue of students getting expelled for raising their voices.

Chairman HEC briefed the HR committee on issues faced by uni’s & students. For 2 years straight they’ve faced a funding cut by PTI Gov. While other sectors have been given packages, our uni’s & students r in desperate need of an “education package”.

— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) June 9, 2020

Committee found expulsion of students as penalty for raising their voice, to be unlawful and violative of their constitutional rights. Chairman HEC has been directed to reinstate them immediately.

— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) June 9, 2020