Sikkim University Cancels Admission of Commerce Student for Derogatory Remarks Against Nepali Community

KalimNews, Aug 21, 2025 : Sikkim University has cancelled the provisional admission of first-semester commerce student Raj Shekhar Yadav following a disciplinary inquiry that found him guilty of misconduct. The action comes after a joint complaint from faculty members and the Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA) accused Yadav of posting objectionable and derogatory remarks in the departmental WhatsApp group between August 14 and 16. The comments included disrespectful references to Independence Day celebrations and offensive statements about the Nepali community.

Acting on the recommendation of the disciplinary committee, the Vice-Chancellor invoked powers under the Sikkim University Act and Ordinance OC-12 to cancel Yadav’s admission with immediate effect.

The student, who hails from Benaras, Uttar Pradesh, had earlier come under criticism for making remarks that the university community considered anti-Nepali and divisive. Yadav issued a written apology addressed to the Head of Department and the wider student community, expressing regret for his “actions and words” that hurt the sentiments of the Nepali-speaking community. He clarified that he never intended to disrespect anyone, admitting that his behaviour caused “pain and disappointment.”

“I sincerely apologize for my actions and words that have hurt the sentiments of the Nepali Community. I deeply regret whatever I said or did against the community, knowingly or unknowingly,” Yadav wrote. He took full responsibility for his actions and assured university authorities and fellow students that such behaviour would not be repeated. “I have learned from this incident and will make every effort to show respect, tolerance, and understanding toward all cultures and communities,” he added.

The apology followed a formal complaint lodged by the Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA) with the Vice Chancellor and Registrar, demanding strict disciplinary action. The complaint highlighted Yadav’s derogatory statements against the Nepali community and language, in which he reportedly called Nepali a “foreign country’s language” and suggested that those who wished to use it should “go to Nepal.” The remarks were made in the official WhatsApp group of the SU Commerce Department and sparked widespread outrage among students and faculty.

Yadav also questioned the observance of Independence Day on August 15, suggesting that classes should continue as usual. These remarks, in a group comprising both students and faculty members, were immediately flagged as offensive and insulting to the sentiments of the Nepali-speaking community.

Following the incident, senior scholars from the department lodged a General Diary (GD) at Ranipool Police Station near Gangtok. The police acted swiftly, placing Yadav in preventive custody under sections 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting enmity between groups, 353(1)(c) for making false statements inciting offenses between communities, and 353(2) for promoting enmity through falsehood.

The Sikkim University Students’ Association (SUSA) issued a strong statement condemning Yadav’s comments. It stated that the remarks were not only an attack on the Nepali community but also a threat to communal harmony within the university. It said that its demand is very clear — the student should be permanently terminated from the university. He has hurt the sentiments of Nepali-speaking people across the state, the country, and even globally. Divisive thoughts like these cannot be tolerated in an academic space.

The incident has drawn attention from the wider community in Sikkim, prompting discussions on respecting cultural diversity and maintaining communal harmony within academic institutions.