A day after IIT Madras’ decision to derecognise the Ambedkar Periyar Student Circle (APSC) for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a political slugfest broke out with HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi taking on each other even as the institute asserted its move was justified as the students’ body had violated laid guidelines.
The ruling BJP at the Centre defended the institute’s stand and alleged that the Congress was trying to divide students on the basis of religion and caste. And while NSUI activists protested in front of Irani’s residence in the Capital — the Minister was away in Guwahati though — Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to say the derecognition of APSC was aimed at “crushing dissent” and he will fight such attempts. The left parties also joined issue condemning the institute’s decision.
“IIT student group banned for criticising the Modi Government. What nextIJ Free speech is our right. We will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate,” Rahul said on the Twitter account of his office.
Irani shot back challenging him for a debate on the issue of governance, including education, and accused him of fighting his battles hiding behind NSUI. Replying to him in a series of tweets, Irani said, “Next time fight ur (your) battles ur (your)self, don’t hide behind NSUI. N (And) by d (the) way I’m returning to Amethi soon. See you there.”
Challenging Rahul, she said, “Give me a time n (and) place n (and) I’m ready to debate everything re (regarding) governance including education. Tell ur (your) men strong arm tactics were tried in Amethi n (and) didn’t scare me during lok Sabha elections. They won’t scare me now.”
She also said, “Yesterday u (you) told NSUI to create disorder where there is order. Today ur (your) goons come to my house as I’m away at work.”
While interacting with media at Guwahati, Irani backed IIT’s action, saying the institution has clearly stated that some procedures by the students’ organisation was not followed and it knew that Dean will derecognise it for violating norms.
“The APSC has been de-recognised temporarily but they will be given a chance to explain their stand to the Board of Students,” a Press release by the IIT-M Management said. According to the release, the student group was derecognised for violation of guidelines prescribed for groups that use the name IIT Madras in their activities.
The HRD Ministry said that IIT Madras had taken action according to its own procedure and established guidelines. Higher Education Secretary SN Mohanty told The Pioneer that IIT Madras is an autonomous institute and has taken action within its law and the ministry had got nothing to do except forwarding the complaint and seeking comments from the institute.
The controversy began on May 18 with R Vivekananda Gopal, a leading social scientist and a faculty of the Dravidian University in his speech on “Contemporary Relevance of Dr Ambedkar” held under the auspices of APSC coming down heavily on the Narendra Modi Government for its efforts to polarise the Indian society on communal basis.
The moment the contents of Gopal’s speech reached the IIT management, trouble started and the IIT-M Dean Sivakumar M Srinivasan derecognised APSC. The APSC in its reply to the dean said that the dean derecognised the study circle unilaterally without giving them a fair hearing and an opportunity to represent themselves. They also charged that the derecognition was in response to a letter issued by the HRD Ministry to the IIT Management which sought “comments” on the issue.
The MHRD letter was in response to an anonymous letter which the former received from the IIT M, said the APSC in its communication to the IIT Management.