The controversy over the illegal expulsion and suspension of five students at Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University (MGIHU), Wardha in 2024 has finally been resolved. Following an order from the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, the university administration revoked the expulsions and suspensions. The move is being hailed as a significant judicial victory for student activism.
On January 27, 2024, the university administration expelled/suspended Dr. Rajnish Kumar Ambedkar (Diploma), Ramchandra (Research Scholar), Rajesh Kumar Yadav (Research Scholar), Niranjan Kumar (Research Scholar), and Vivek Mishra (Undergraduate student) without any formal inquiry or opportunity to be heard. This action came in the wake of a student protest opposing the alleged illegal appointment of the then Acting Vice-Chancellor.
Niranjan Kumar and Vivek Mishra immediately filed petitions in the Bombay High Court, which granted them relief. Rajesh Kumar Yadav and Ramchandra faced delays in approaching the court due to financial constraints and filed their petition in November 2024 through advocate Nihal Singh Rathore. The hearings continued for nearly a year.
On December 19, 2025, the High Court warned the university administration that strict orders would be passed if the illegal expulsion and suspension were not revoked. Subsequently, on Monday, the administration submitted an affidavit withdrawing the expulsions and suspensions of the two students. On December 22, 2025, the court approved the revocation.
Rajesh Kumar Yadav stated that the struggle was not merely a personal victory but also a fight against institutional attempts to suppress the voices of Dalit and Bahujan students. Ramchandra added that while the university has become a hub of administrative corruption and authoritarianism, students will continue to fight for the protection of democratic rights.
MGIHU has faced repeated allegations in recent years, including administrative irregularities, corruption in faculty appointments, financial mismanagement, and delays in admission processes. Students have accused the university administration of disregarding democratic processes and constitutional rights.
