A day after it came in for severe criticism for its latest 15-point “Code of Conduct” for its students in which it has banned “anti-social activities” and imposed other restrictions on the Powai campus, the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) on Thursday went on the defensive, by saying that it is “not against any peaceful expression of opinion in individual capacity”.

In a statement issued here in the evening, the IIT-B said: “Indian Institute of Technology Bombay wishes to clarify that the Institute is not against any peaceful expression of opinion in individual capacity”.

“The Institute is strictly apolitical in its views and does not endorse any political ideology. However, any student is free to express his/ her opinion in the individual capacity as per rights and responsibilities enshrined in our constitution,” the IIT-B stated in its clarification.

“With regard to recent circular sent to students, we wish to reiterate that these are standard and existing rules for hostels assimilated from all IITs and were sent to all students to remind them to abide by the hostel rules and not disturb the peaceful academic atmosphere within the hostels and academic areas. This circular was sent in consultation with the student council, which comprises of elected student representatives,” the IIT-B said in its statement.

“The Institute is recognized as one of the top centres of academic excellence in the country. At present, 11,000 students study at this residential campus having 17 hostels. The purpose of IIT Bombay is to produce high-quality research and manpower for the benefit of all citizens of our country,” the IIT-B said

 “The students sign the code of conduct at the time of joining the Institute,” the Institute said in its statement, giving e-link showing a document where the students have signed after the admission in the institute, saying that they would adhere to the code of conduct.

In a 15-point “Code of Conduct Rules” mailed to the IIT-B students on Tuesday, the institute's Associate Dean of Student Affairs stated: “This mail is to reiterate and highlight some of the hostel rules which need to be strictly implemented from January 28, 2020”.

Among the 15 points, the rule number 10 stands out: “Residents shall not participate in any anti-national, anti-social and/or any other undesirable activities”. Significantly enough, the Code of Conduct has not defined as to what are “anti-national activities”.

The second such significant restriction mentioned in the code of conduct reads thus: “No Posters or leaflets/pamphlets distribution allowed in the hostel without the permission of the respective hostel council or Dean of Students Affairs (DoSA)”.

Another equally stringent restriction reads thus: “Speeches/plays/music or any other activities that disturb the peace of hostel environment are strictly prohibited. Not allowed even if faculty is part of the gathering. Only matters that are approved by the DoSA office will be permitted”.

The gag order issued to the IIT-B students had come in the wake of a peaceful protest march that the students had organised on December 15 inside the campus, against violence meted out to Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) students. They carried torches, placards and banners saying ‘In Solidarity With Jamia’.

The gag order was seen in the light of the fact that a section of students belonging to four different groups at IIT-B (Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle, North-East Collective, Ambedkar Students’ Collective and Charchavedi) that are part of a collective called ‘IIT-Bombay for Justice’ has joined the anti-CAA and NRC protest organised by the   Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Social Justice on December 27.

Many of the students of IIT-B feel that the Code of Conduct is the direct fallout of protests against CAA and NRC being witnessed on the campuses of educational institutions across the country. They feel that the latest restrictions are a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution which provides freedom of speech. Another section of students have even gone to extent dubbing the Institute's move is tantamount to internal emergency with the IIT-B. Most of the students who are opposing the new hostel rules owe allegiance to the outfit ‘IIT-Bombay for Justice’.

However, IIT-B’s official spokesperson has disassociated the institute from the ‘IIT-Bombay for Justice’, by saying: “IIT-Bombay for Justice is not an officially recognised body of the Institute”.