Indian woman arrested, barred from Princeton University over pro-Palestine protests on campus
An Indian-origin woman hailing from Coimbatore and raised in Columbus, one of two students at the esteemed Princeton University who have been arrested and banned from campus for organising pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Achinthya Sivalingan has been barred from campus and is subject to disciplinary measures, according to a university spokesperson.
The incident unfolded as protesters erected tents for a student-led pro-Palestine encampment in McCosh Courtyard around 7 a.m. on April 25th. Following warnings from university officials, two Princeton students were apprehended. Despite the arrests, the remaining protesters dismantled their camping equipment and persisted with the demonstration in the form of a sit-in, as reported by the Princeton Alumni Weekly.
Achinthya Sivalingan is pursuing a Master's in Public Affairs with a focus on International Development at Princeton University, while Mr. Sayed is a PhD candidate at the same institution.
According to a statement from Morill, the students received repeated warnings from the Department of Public Safety to discontinue their activities and vacate the area. They now face disciplinary measures. Following their arrest, other protesters voluntarily dismantled their camping equipment.
Hotchkiss clarified that the university did not expel anyone on Thursday and that students barred from campus are permitted to remain in their university-owned housing.
The protest, which included Princeton students, faculty, community members, and external participants, featured large white tents nearby set up for upcoming reunions and other events, as per organizers cited by the PAW.
Nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate students initiated a sit-in on McCosh Courtyard in the early hours of April 25th, joining a series of pro-Palestinian sit-ins taking place across the nation.
The event has sparked discussions, with some expressing worries about the protests escalating into instances of antisemitism, leading to apprehension among Jewish students on campus. Amidst these tensions, Princeton University faces the challenge of maintaining a delicate equilibrium between upholding free expression and ensuring the safety of the campus community.
- With inputs from agencies
