Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Aurelia Le Vacon:
J'accuse a system. J'accuse a system of praising justice, freedom, democracy and yet recently none of the above when applied to Rishabh Badoni's case. J'accuse an institution. J'accuse Bard. My voice was not heard when I tried again and again to explain to them their misunderstanding. They had some nerve to label me, against my will, as a victim. If our own institution cannot even make out the right from the wrong, then you need to help me enlighten them.
Rishabh and I were taken in for questioning on the night of 3rd September, last Saturday. Security had been called by some people after Rishabh had made a sarcastic comment about rape to them with me as the subject. I understood the finesse of his comment as we joke about it, but they got upset and took it completely out of context. I think he should not have said that publicly and so does he, but I do not think it is an issue of great weight as the institution is carrying it out to be so. They, of course, had no idea of the nature of our relationship and started assuming a bunch of stuff about Rishabh. He was then pictured by the people as a threat to the Bard Community which he is not. The security reports have distorted information and contains statements that are false.
Bard is going through a lot of public shame in mishandling cases of sexual assault and this is their way of retaliating. This case does not even come close to that. He is being made a scapegoat for their mistakes, which I personally feel has a tinge of racism since he is Indian. He is facing suspension due to which he will potentially be going back to India. His hearing is in a few days and I need all the support I can get.
For those of you who know Rishabh, I know you know him to be a kind and generous person, who is ambitious, respectful, and composed, and not the "violent drunk who is a threat to the Bard community."
We need him to stay at Bard as this is unfairness and injustice that is being brought upon one of our fellow students, and this can happen to a number of us. I ask you to lend your support to me!
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Updates
September 13, 2016
The silence from the office is honestly deafening even though I keep checking my inbox every ten minutes for some sign they looked at the reports. It feels like they are just waiting for everyone to get bored and move on so they can bury this whole thing under more policy manuals but I have way too much energy for that to happen.
September 13, 2016
I really thought this might just disappear into the void but looking at how many people actually get what is happening here is just completely wild. It feels like the tide is finally turning against these absolute fabrications because honestly I am tired of explaining the same simple truth over and over.
11 Comments
I sign this petition in support of Rishabh. I am troubled by this incident and believe there should a full and fair opportunity for Rishabh to present his side of the story.
If Bard could only spend all its time...you know...going after ACTUAL rapists and ruining THEIR lives... Not that I approve of joking about it but neither do they so this is actually idiotic and very ridiculous.
The privacy of these people were invaded. If Bards administrators lack the capacity to listen to the defendants and place a careful and understanding judgement upon them, then all of what Bard stands for is being pushed aside in order to make a point. The accusers' hearts were in the right place, but they simply placed judgement without understanding and Bard's administrators and security staff preferred to do a quick and sloppy job, instead of taking the time to get a full picture of the situation. From my experience, Rishab is a kind and sensitive person who deserves what Bard has to offer. Instead of punishing him, please take the time to discuss with him and his girlfriend about all of the facts. You may find that you were wrong to act so swiftly and strongly.
Do we live in such a world where one man can face so much injustice at the hands of an institution, especially while that institution has the power to unfairly ruin that man's life? Quick, instinctual reactions are not allowed for large institutions, where every small change impacts a large number of lives, and quite heavily. Bard, do not be so quick to act, especially with the shroud of the institution removing guilt from any one person. Think, discuss, and discuss again, and you'll see little fault in Rishabh's actions.
There is an assumption that foreign men with accents are womanizers, and that they disrespect women. Rishab is a victim of stereotyping. This is a sham trial. Bard's goal is not justice or fairness, but to uphold their reputation and appease the third party complainants.
Unbelievable.
I hope the hearing is a fair opportunity for him to present his side of the story and to both acknowledge and explain his actions.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Aurelia Le Vacon:
J'accuse a system. J'accuse a system of praising justice, freedom, democracy and yet recently none of the above when applied to Rishabh Badoni's case. J'accuse an institution. J'accuse Bard. My voice was not heard when I tried again and again to explain to them their misunderstanding. They had some nerve to label me, against my will, as a victim. If our own institution cannot even make out the right from the wrong, then you need to help me enlighten them.
Rishabh and I were taken in for questioning on the night of 3rd September, last Saturday. Security had been called by some people after Rishabh had made a sarcastic comment about rape to them with me as the subject. I understood the finesse of his comment as we joke about it, but they got upset and took it completely out of context. I think he should not have said that publicly and so does he, but I do not think it is an issue of great weight as the institution is carrying it out to be so. They, of course, had no idea of the nature of our relationship and started assuming a bunch of stuff about Rishabh. He was then pictured by the people as a threat to the Bard Community which he is not. The security reports have distorted information and contains statements that are false.
Bard is going through a lot of public shame in mishandling cases of sexual assault and this is their way of retaliating. This case does not even come close to that. He is being made a scapegoat for their mistakes, which I personally feel has a tinge of racism since he is Indian. He is facing suspension due to which he will potentially be going back to India. His hearing is in a few days and I need all the support I can get.
For those of you who know Rishabh, I know you know him to be a kind and generous person, who is ambitious, respectful, and composed, and not the "violent drunk who is a threat to the Bard community."
We need him to stay at Bard as this is unfairness and injustice that is being brought upon one of our fellow students, and this can happen to a number of us. I ask you to lend your support to me!
Updates
September 13, 2016
The silence from the office is honestly deafening even though I keep checking my inbox every ten minutes for some sign they looked at the reports. It feels like they are just waiting for everyone to get bored and move on so they can bury this whole thing under more policy manuals but I have way too much energy for that to happen.
September 13, 2016
I really thought this might just disappear into the void but looking at how many people actually get what is happening here is just completely wild. It feels like the tide is finally turning against these absolute fabrications because honestly I am tired of explaining the same simple truth over and over.
11 Comments
I'll sign this cus I don't think you should be expelled but have you tried not making rape jokes, or being respecting or not constantly being inappropriate?
I sign this petition in support of Rishabh. I am troubled by this incident and believe there should a full and fair opportunity for Rishabh to present his side of the story.
If Bard could only spend all its time...you know...going after ACTUAL rapists and ruining THEIR lives... Not that I approve of joking about it but neither do they so this is actually idiotic and very ridiculous.
The privacy of these people were invaded. If Bards administrators lack the capacity to listen to the defendants and place a careful and understanding judgement upon them, then all of what Bard stands for is being pushed aside in order to make a point. The accusers' hearts were in the right place, but they simply placed judgement without understanding and Bard's administrators and security staff preferred to do a quick and sloppy job, instead of taking the time to get a full picture of the situation. From my experience, Rishab is a kind and sensitive person who deserves what Bard has to offer. Instead of punishing him, please take the time to discuss with him and his girlfriend about all of the facts. You may find that you were wrong to act so swiftly and strongly.
Do we live in such a world where one man can face so much injustice at the hands of an institution, especially while that institution has the power to unfairly ruin that man's life? Quick, instinctual reactions are not allowed for large institutions, where every small change impacts a large number of lives, and quite heavily. Bard, do not be so quick to act, especially with the shroud of the institution removing guilt from any one person. Think, discuss, and discuss again, and you'll see little fault in Rishabh's actions.
There is an assumption that foreign men with accents are womanizers, and that they disrespect women. Rishab is a victim of stereotyping. This is a sham trial. Bard's goal is not justice or fairness, but to uphold their reputation and appease the third party complainants.
Unbelievable.
I hope the hearing is a fair opportunity for him to present his side of the story and to both acknowledge and explain his actions.
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I'll sign this cus I don't think you should be expelled but have you tried not making rape jokes, or being respecting or not constantly being inappropriate?