File photo of St Stephen's college
A student of Delhi's prestigious St Stephen's college alleges that he has been denied a character certificate that he needs to join the Columbia University, because he took on Principal Valson Thampu.
Devansh Mehta went to court against the college after he was suspended for launching an online magazine in April.
In an open letter alleging victimization, Devansh says he found that a line on "conduct and moral character" was missing in his provisional certificate, "making it an incomplete provisional certificate and thereby inadequate to submit to Columbia University where the term begins in 20 days."
Devansh's trouble with the college began when he launched the e-zine 'St Stephen's Weekly,' and published an interview with Principal Thampu, allegedly without his consent. The final year Pholosophy student was suspended for "breach of discipline." He was also stripped of a good conduct prize he was to have received from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday. In his plea, he has asked for the award to be restored.
He then went to the Delhi High Court with a petition accusing principal Valson Thampu of putting "fetters on the much celebrated fundamental right to free expression."
In his letter, Devansh says: "In spite of the High Court order asking for an amicable settlement in the Stephens weekly matter, the Principal has created a lot of problems in giving me a provisional certificate."