IIT Madras justifies action against students' study group

While we don't curtail freedom of expression but guidelines have to be adhered to, says K Ramamurthy, Dean

The IIT Madras administration on Friday justified the action taken against a students' study group, saying that the latter did not work according to the guidelines issued by the represented body.

"While we don't curtail freedom of expression but guidelines have to be adhered to. This group did not work according to the guidelines issued by the represented body," said K Ramamurthy, Dean, Academic Courses.

"IIT Madras does not curtail freedom of expression, the guidelines were agreed to by all students. This group violated the guidelines," he added.

Ramamurthy further stated that the Dean of the institute has asked the students' group to present their stand.

"The Dean asked the group to present their stand. When the Board of students meet, the group will be given a chance to do so. Right now, vacation period is on, when they come back, then student bodies and administration will meet and a discussion will be held," he said.

IIT Madras had temporarily derecognised the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle after a Union Human Resource Development Ministry's letter to the institution's director about the student group's involvement in spreading 'hatred' against Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi.

The Ministry had cited an anonymous letter received by them describing the activities of the student group in question.