FAISALABAD: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad has rusticated a PhD student on charges of posting comments on Facebook against the Kissan Mela organised by the administration in November last.

The notification of forever rustication (a copy is available with Dawn) of Kashan Haider Gilani, a PhD first semester student at the agri-extension department, was issued by the registrar office on Monday.

Gilani’s post on the Facebook reads: “I am in a dilemma since 2-3 days seeing the condition of Kissan Mela that how the music concerts are depicting the true village life style. How the teachers of high impact factor would lit the candle of knowledge sitting at stalls rather in the classrooms. Strength of foreigners was more than the farmers in the Kissan Mela.”

Following the comments, the Disciplinary Advisory Committee headed by Dr Ishfaq Ahmed issued a charge-sheet to Gilani on Dec 8 last.

The charge-sheet reads: “It has been reported by the university authorities that you have been found involved in acts of indiscipline and misconduct under rule 3 of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad Act.

“You defamed the university and were involved in spreading the wrong information and misleading the students/community on social media in connection with Kissan Mela. You have also been involved in initiating an undesired/unwanted derogatory, disrespectful debate about the university programmes at the social media. You have been involved in damaging repute and bringing a bad name to the university.”

Gilani told Dawn that he was penalised despite the fact he had sought an apology from the committee members. He said scores of other people had also commented on the same page against the Kissan Mela, however, none of them was punished.

He said: “I deleted all comments when the university administration raised objections, but nobody bothered to listen to my version and issued order of my expulsion.”

Some faculty members requesting anonymity said expelling a PhD student on a minor issue was unjust. They said like many students of the country, Gillani also expressed his views that could be taken as positive for improvement in the events rather than giving a strong message to critics.

They said he rightly pointed out that farmers were not getting any kind of benefit from the Kissan Mela although the university was spending a huge budget on such events.

They have appealed to the chief minister to look into the issue.

UAF spokesman Dr Jalal Arif in reply to an SMS said: “The university has not closed the doors for any student. Kashan can appeal to the vice chancellor against the decision of the disciplinary committee. The university has 24,000 students and we are responsible for their education and training. Kashan used abusive language against the faculty and management. In such cases, the university calls parents for final solution. The university management is sympathetic with students. It is better for Kashan to appeal to the vice chancellor for his issue.”

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2016