Protests against IIT-Madras' de-recognition of APSC continue, 100 detained

100 people taken into custody till noon for holding protests without permission

Various organisations conducted protests in different parts of Chennai on Saturday against the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras’s (IIT-M) move to derecognise a students’ group in the campus, alleging the group of violating the guidelines of the Board of Students.

Around 100 people were taken into custody near IIT-M till noon for allegedly protesting the derecognition of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) without permission and blocking the public movement, according to police officials.

Protests were organised by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Radical Students’ Youth Front and Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam near IIT-M, while the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s faction announced to conduct protest in front of Shastri Bhavan, where several central government offices are situated.

A DYFI member claimed that around 80 members assembled near IIT-M to protest and police arrested around 48 of them, including ladies, for conducting protest without prior permission.

Members of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam were also arrested while they were holding protest at Madhya Kailash, around half a kilometre away from the main gate of IIT-M.

The decision to derecognise APSC on May 28 was allegedly taken after the Ministry of Human Resource Development issued a letter asking for IIT-M’s comment on pamphlets distributed by APSC that criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his policies.

IIT-M defended its move stating that while the institute does not curtail the freedom of expression of students, student groups have to adhere to the guidelines set by the Board of Students.

“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 publicise their activities or garner support, without official approval,” it said.

“The student group has violated these guidelilnes while conducting their meeting and thus faced the normal procedure of temporary derecognition pending their presenting their stand to the Board of Students,” it added.

Political parties including the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and others also came out to protest on Friday, as the news of derecognition and the institute’s explanation came in.

The HRD ministry also issued a statement on Friday saying that the action had been taken by IIT-M as per the guidelines of the institute and the ministry had nothing to do with this except for forwarding the complaint received to the director of the institute for comments.

“IIT, Madras has taken action as per their own procedure and Institute’s guidelines. IITs being autonomous institutions, they are competent to handle matters within their guidelines and procedure,” said the Ministry statement.