Chennai:The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) today staged a protest outside the campus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras against the banning of a student's group.
The security was beefed up in and outside the campus with heavy police deployment.
The reports of ban on a students' group Ambedkar Periyar Student Circle (APSC) came out yesterday. The group was allegedly banned after an anonymous complaint that the group tried to spread “hatred” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The complaint, received by ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), alleged that Ambedkar Periyar Student Circle (APSC) was mobilizing SC/ST students to question government policies on the use of Hindi and the ban on cow slaughter.
The complainant had enclosed one of APSC's pamphlets reproducing a speech which criticised the Modi government and its policies.
The decision was taken after Prisca Mathew, under secretary to the Ministry of HRD, wrote to the IIT director on the issue.
IIT on Friday justified its decision to ban the group, clarifying that the body was merely temporarily derecognised for violating the guidelines of the institute.
As per the guidelines in force, the student bodies are not allowed to use the institute's name (IIT Madras) or any of its official entities in any capacity to publicize their activities or garner support, without official approval," a statement issued by its spokesperson read.
It also said that this group has violated these guidelines while conducting their meeting.
National Student Union of India, student body of Congress Party, yesterday protested against the ban outside HRD minister Smriti Irani's residence.
Irani clarified that her ministry did not play any role in the ban and said, "IIT Madras is an autonomous institution which takes its own steps."
A Twitter war between Smriti Irani and Congress vice-president Rahul Gaandhi broke out over the issue.
After the NSUI protest outised her home, Irani tweeted, "@OfficeofRG give me a time n place n I'm ready to debate everything re governance including education."
Gandhi had tweeted earlier, “IIT student group banned for criticizing Modi Government. What next?”
“Free speech is our right. We will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate,” his next tweet read.
