St Stephen’s Principal Valson Thampu has described the ongoing row over the banning of a student e-magazine as “vandalism by old boys” and asserted that the college’s character in the episode stands “vindicated”. In an open letter to the alumni entitled, “Suspension Imbroglio -The Takeaways”, Thampu says, “the recent unpleasantness over St Stephen’s Weekly issue is essentially vandalism by some old boys and those with money and clout”. Saying that “the mindset of vandalism is the very opposite of the learning outlook”, Thampu held that “the character of the college stands vindicated... (in the) recent turmoil that was thrust upon it”. “As an academic community we can take pride in emerging from it stronger and clearer. I sense mounting respect for the college everywhere,” he adds.