The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued a notice to Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) seeking an explanation over its temporary de-recognition of a Dalit students’ group.
“Youngsters must get freedom of speech on campus. Extending bans thus is like suppressing their voices. This is completely wrong. I have issued a notice to the institute and sought its reply after taking note of the incident. We will take action in this regard,” NCSC Chairman P L Punia was quoted as saying by a news agency.
A major political row erupted after the institute temporarily de-recognised the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle (APSC) following an anonymous complaint that it was trying to create “hatred” against Hindus and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on campus as well as making students protest against Central government policies.
IIT-M took action against the group after the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry forwarded the complaint to and sought a “comment” from its director Bhaskar Ramamurthy, noting that the allegations against the APSC were “serious”.
IIT-M temporarily derecognised the APSC after receiving the complaint, even as the Central Vigilance Commission has prescribed that no action should be taken by any ministry, government department or organisation on “anonymous or pseudonymous” complaints. Leaders seek Modi intervention
Various political leaders in Tamil Nadu including DMK president M Karunanidhi on Sunday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s help to lift the IIT-M ban on Ambedkar-Periyar Study Centre, DHNS reports. Karunanidhi termed the de-recognition of APSC by IIT-Madras as curtailing the freedom of expression.
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