Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday turned up as chief guest at the graduation ceremony of St Stephen’s College, amidst a raging controversy over the institution's ban on a student e-zine.
A section of college students and alumni had earlier started an online petition asking Kejriwal not to accept the college's invitation, in support of free speech. The row had hit a tipping point when the principal Valson Thampu on Wednesday suspended Devansh Mehta, the student editor of the Stephen’s Weekly, for 10 days.
However, Kejriwal attended the ceremony, which was declared out of bounds for the media.Addressing the college's students and faculty, he said the existing country's governance system is the most archaic in the world.
Devansh, whose suspension from the college was stayed by the Delhi High Court, also attended the graduation ceremony. He said he was happy to be at the event, and had no resentment against either the principal or anyone else.
“He (Kejriwal) has always stood for freedom of speech and truth. My fellow students had written to him seeking his support by turning down the invitation, but he chose to come. We respect the decision. And I am happy to be finally attending the ceremony,” he said.