Indian students expelled from Chinese university

A Chinese university has expelled three Indian students for reportedly being involved in an armed brawl that left one student with stab wounds.

The fight broke out between two groups of Indian students who were said to be armed with sharp-edged weapons.

The incident occurred in the second week of April in the medical faculty of the Three Gorges University at Yichang in central China.

Following the incident, the Indian embassy in Beijing issued a terse advisory that warned Indian students to follow rules and obey the law. It said the Indian missions will follow a “zero-tolerance” policy in all such cases.

More than 14,000 Indian students currently study in China, with a majority in medical schools across the country.

Violence and ragging among Indian students are on the rise, Hindustan Times has learnt, with the Indian embassy and consulates having to deal with an increasing number of complaints about such incidents almost every day.

At least a dozen Indian students were involved in the brawl at Three Gorges University, which was reportedly the outcome of a running feud between junior and senior Indian students.

Soon after the fight, university authorities identified those who had triggered the fight and expelled them. The injured student is said to have recovered and rejoined classes.

The



advisory issued by the Indian embassy said: “Incidents involving any kind of violence or ill behaviour create a negative image about Indians in China. Although the overwhelming number of students is law-abiding, the actions of a few are detrimental to the interests of all Indians in China.

“It is our common responsibility to ensure that no such act is committed that affects the reputation of the country or the Indian community in China. The embassy and consulates will have zero-tolerance in all such cases.”

The students were advised not to “indulge in any form of violence or mental and physical abuse of any nature on or off the university campus. Such actions will invite severe action by university or police authorities, and is likely to result in suspension by the university, and detention or deportation by Chinese authorities”.

The advisory further said, “Fully respect the university guidelines and regulations. If the university provides proof that an Indian student has violated their regulations, and takes disciplinary action including expulsion, the Indian embassy will not intervene.”

Specifically mentioning ragging, the advisory said: “Ragging is a criminal offence. Any such incident that is brought to the attention of the embassy or consulates will be reported to appropriate authorities in India.”