 "IIT-Madras defends ban on students' body")
The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) has defended derecognising student’s body, the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle (APSC), for allegedly distributing pamphlets criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. The activity on campus violated the institute’s guidelines, IIT-M had said.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development had sought the institute’s comment on the incident.
The ministry issued a statement on Friday, saying the action had nothing to do with the ministry and was according to the institution’s procedure and guidelines. The statement added that the ministry only forwarded a complaint it had received to the director of IIT-Madras for comments. “IIT-Madras has taken action as per their (its) own procedure and institute’s guidelines. IITs, being autonomous institutions, are competent to handle matters within their guidelines and procedure,” said the ministry statement.
An IIT-M spokesperson said on Friday according to guidelines, student bodies were not allowed to use the institute’s name or any of its official entities in any capacity to publicise their activities or garner support, without official approval. “This group has violated these guidelines while conducting their meeting. Normally, violation of these guidelines leads to temporary derecognition, pending their presenting to the Board of Students. In the present case also, the same procedure is being followed,” said the spokesperson.
While the institute does not curtail freedom of expression of the students, said the statement, student groups are expected to adhere to these guidelines.
The action triggered protests from political parties, including the regional wing of the Indian National Congress.
APSC members said the pamphlet, along with an anonymous letter forwarded by the ministry to IIT-M, had parts of a speech of an academic on the relevance of the thoughts of B R Ambedkar in today’s situation and mentioned Prime Minister Modi’s approach on various matters, including the land acquisition Bill, as “pro-corporate”.
There are several student organisations functioning on the IIT campus. Some groups are formed based on the interests of the students. Student groups desiring to use the institute’s resources are required to be recognised and follow the guidelines of the Board of Students, consisting of the elected student representatives, the statement added.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development had sought the institute’s comment on the incident.
The ministry issued a statement on Friday, saying the action had nothing to do with the ministry and was according to the institution’s procedure and guidelines. The statement added that the ministry only forwarded a complaint it had received to the director of IIT-Madras for comments. “IIT-Madras has taken action as per their (its) own procedure and institute’s guidelines. IITs, being autonomous institutions, are competent to handle matters within their guidelines and procedure,” said the ministry statement.
An IIT-M spokesperson said on Friday according to guidelines, student bodies were not allowed to use the institute’s name or any of its official entities in any capacity to publicise their activities or garner support, without official approval. “This group has violated these guidelines while conducting their meeting. Normally, violation of these guidelines leads to temporary derecognition, pending their presenting to the Board of Students. In the present case also, the same procedure is being followed,” said the spokesperson.
While the institute does not curtail freedom of expression of the students, said the statement, student groups are expected to adhere to these guidelines.
The action triggered protests from political parties, including the regional wing of the Indian National Congress.
APSC members said the pamphlet, along with an anonymous letter forwarded by the ministry to IIT-M, had parts of a speech of an academic on the relevance of the thoughts of B R Ambedkar in today’s situation and mentioned Prime Minister Modi’s approach on various matters, including the land acquisition Bill, as “pro-corporate”.
There are several student organisations functioning on the IIT campus. Some groups are formed based on the interests of the students. Student groups desiring to use the institute’s resources are required to be recognised and follow the guidelines of the Board of Students, consisting of the elected student representatives, the statement added.
Reports suggest that Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leader EVKS Elangovan said that the action against the students group is condemnable and the ministry is acting in an authoritarian manner.
The New Democratic Lababour Front (NDLF), which has a IT Employees wing, has also come out with protest against the action against the students' group.