DC debate: Was the recent ‘ban’ on a student group by IIT-Madras for ‘criticising’ PM justified?
Politics being played over a trivial issue: A vicious campaign has been launched by some vested interests against the NDA government in general and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in particular with the accusation that a Dalit Students’ Organisation in IIT-Madras has been “banned”. First, there is no permanent ban, as is being projected by some political parties and leaders. It is only a temporary ban that has been imposed by the IIT-Madras management on the grounds of violation of code of conduct by the students on the campus.
The decision was taken purely by the management of IIT-M. Neither the Centre nor, for that matter the Union HRD ministry, has any role in this. Premier institutions like the IITs enjoy autonomy and no one can interfere in their decision-making process. The Centre have utmost respect and regard for the autonomy of the IITs. Holding seminars or debates by students on socio-economic issues on the campus is not wrong. But they should be based on broader perspective and not encourage divisiveness in the society.
Unfortunately, it has been learnt that this particular student organisation on the IIT-M campus indulged in polarisation of certain castes and communities in the name of seminars and debates. This is not good for the society or the academic institutions. I strongly believe that the future leaders of the country emerge from students’ organisations.
Student organisations and leaders should be broad-minded and should have a global thinking. They should not be narrow-minded or indulge in activities like polarisation of certain castes or communities. Dalit icon Dr B.R. Ambedkar was also opposed to such things. Even in the case of giving reservations in jobs and educations, Dr Ambedkar was open-minded as he felt that quotas should be there for 10 years. However, political parties with an eye on the vote bank politics kept on extending them without taking up a scientific study on the socio and economic status of various sections of the society.
Academic institutions should flourish as knowledge-centres. No hatred or divisiveness against any individual or organisation should be propagated or promoted on the campus. There should be healthy exchange of ideas on knowledge, culture and traditions. My only appeal to the student community is that premier institutes like IITs, IIMs etc. in India command global recognition and respect. Let us not bring down the reputation of such institutes with meaningless issues that are being blown out of proportion.
While the issue pertains to violation of code of conduct, some political parties are trying to give “caste and community” colour to derive political mileage out of it at the cost of reputation of IITs. I have worked as a minister in the UMHRD and have noticed the amount of autonomy enjoyed by the institutions in their decision-making. Even in the this case, the names of Mr Modi and NDA are unnecessarily being dragged with political motives. There is nothing more to it.
Daggubati Purandareswari, Former minister of state (HRD)
Varsities are stifling voices of dissent: Universities are not just centres of learning, but are also places where education becomes a prime tool of the youth to form informed opinions on various issues pertaining to the society. Thus, universities also become a hotbed of a diverse range of opinions and activism by the youth. Some of these opinions and voices might not go down well with everyone. However, it is especially in these situations that a university plays an important role to ensure that even the voices and actions of dissent are not suppressed of muffled.
It should be remembered that most of the well-known politicians in India, who rose to high levels, started off as student activists. Their foundation has been in student politics, in which they took part without fear in their youth. One can still clearly remember the photo of former defence minister George Fernandes with his one fist raised while his hands were chained after his arrest during the Emergency. People remember the image because it spoke of a fierce voice of dissent. Why is it then that the youth of today are being denied the opportunity to play a role in politics by banning of groups and student politics in the universities.
It is understood that materialism and the greed to enter electoral politics has found a strong place in student politics. Nonetheless, there are also students who have a genuine ideology and principles which they want to practice by being in student politics. The Lyngdoh Committee had stressed on the need for student bodies and student elections in educational institutions. Proper guidelines were framed for the same by the Committee, but very few universities are actually following the Committee’s suggestions. Any kind of political influence on a university’s affairs and also in student activism should not be allowed, but at the same time, banning student activism entirely and muffling someone’s opinions are also condemnable.
What happened at IIT- Madras is not acceptable. A student body cannot be banned just because it has raised doubts over the government’s policies or criticised the PM. India is a democratic country and everyone has the right to criticise the government or a politician if he/she finds something wrong. One cannot say that every criticism is slander and ban a dissenting voice. When the present ruling party was in Opposition, there were many doubts raised, allegations made and criticisms passed over the then incumbent leaders. Were all those who raised their voices banned from entering Parliament?
If a premier institution like IIT-Madras resorts to banning a student body for criticising the PM, it sends out a wrong signal. Moreover, while the IITs are known for the quality of students they produce, they are also infamous for brain-drain. It is a good sign that IITians too are discussing social issues. This should be encouraged, and not suppressed, to promote a feeling of responsibility towards the country among the IITians.
Dr R. Ramdas, Associate Professor, UoH
