Achinthya Sivalingan, an Indian-origin Princeton University student, is at the center of controversy after her involvement in pro-Palestine protests on the prestigious campus.
Born in Coiambatore, Tamil Nadu, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Achinthya studied world politics and economics at the Ohio State University. She is currently pursuing MPA in International Development at the School of Public and International Affairs.
The university profile notes that Achinthya, most recently, supported policy and advocacy work for the climate adaptation, agricultural development, and nutrition portfolios at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
It is reported that alongside another student, Achinthya was apprehended by authorities, sparking debates surrounding freedom of expression and campus activism.
The incident unfolded amidst heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as Achinthya and her fellow protester voiced their support for Palestine on the university grounds. However, their demonstration quickly led to legal repercussions, with Achinthya now facing disciplinary action from the university.
According to an official spokesperson from Princeton University, two students (Achinthya Sivalingan and Hassan Sayed) have been barred from returning to the campus premises, pending further investigation into their involvement in the protest.
Jennifer Morrill, a spokesperson for the University, said in a statement that pitching tents violated University policy and two graduate students were arrested for trespassing “[a]fter repeated warnings from the Department of Public Safety to cease the activity and leave the area.”
The two graduate students “have been immediately barred from campus, pending a disciplinary process,” Morrill said, and the remaining tents were “voluntarily taken down by protestors.”
The university administration has emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment while upholding the principles of academic freedom and expression.
These protest that Achinthya was part of is a series of rallies organised by campus groups including the Princeton Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the Princeton Palestine Liberation Coalition, and Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (PIAD).
The arrest of Achinthya has ignited a broader conversation within the Indian diaspora community, highlighting the complexities of political activism within academic institutions.
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