APSC to IIT-M: No talks before fulfilling demands

Attempt to end the standoff between IIT-Madras and the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) suffered a setback on Thursday after the derecognised student group refused to meet with the Board of Students (BoS).

“First our demands should be fulfilled. Then only we will consider meeting with BoS,” a communique from APSC said.

The IIT-M management organised the emergency meeting between APSC and BoS after the institute derecognised the student body for criticising the Central government’s policies and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides hurting Hindu sentiments.

After meeting IIT-M’s Director-In-Charge, the APSC laid down several demands including re-recognition of their group, unconditional apology from the Dean of Student for misusing power and overturning the code of conduct cited for their ban as it was against Article 19(A) of the Indian Constitution.

The group also asked recognition of all independent student bodies and allowing them to freely express their social, political and economic views.

The IIT-M authorities orally accepted APSC’s demands but promised to give a written resolution after the APSC-BoS emergency meeting. 

The APSC, however, refused to speak with BoS, saying the latter did not derecognise their group and wanted talks to be held directly with the IIT-M management.