IIT-M: 500 DMK student cadre held

More than 500 cadres of the DMK’s student wing were arrested near the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) campus here on Monday when they staged a protest against the action against on a student’s organisation by the country’s premier technical institute.

Last week, IIT-Madras de-recognised Ambedkar- Periyar Study Centre (APSC), a student organisation, following an anonymous letter to the government signed by students.

The institute stated that the group was creating hatred among students in the name of caste and was also trying to create hatred against the prime minister and Hindus.

Demanding roll back of the ban, the protesters also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention.

The students’ wing of the DMK also questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s silence on the issue.

The police said when the protestors tried to enter the campus, they were immediately arrested.

The ban has landed the institute in a controversy, with all most all political parties, including the DMK, PMK, Congress and the DMDK, besides the Left parties, criticising the move.

Meanwhile, about hundred cadres of the Viduthalai Chiruthai Katchi were also arrested near IIT-M campus when they joined the protest.