Chennai: The student affairs council (SAC), the top-most student body of IIT-Madras, has asked students of the institute whether the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) should be allowed to continue as a recognised body. In an internally circulated email, sent to the entire student population ahead of the emergency board of students (BoS) meeting, the SAC, comprising elected student representatives, has asked students for their opinion.
Speaking to DC, SAC speaker, Aroon Narayanan, said, “Considering students elected the council, their opinion on APSC is being solicited and will be considered. We have also recommended to the BoS that our consent be given due importance in any decision they take.”
But, APSC members on Wednesday decided to boycott the BoS meeting, scheduled in a couple of days, claiming they took the decision considering it will be chaired by the dean (student affairs) who revoked their recognition in the first place without giving notice.
“One of our demands presented on Tuesday was seeking apology from the dean for misusing his official power. Since he chairs the board, we don’t think it would make sense to attend it. However, let them (administration) acknowledge their mistake which they committed in the first place and grant us re-recognition before any meeting is held,” Ramesh, a member said.
American scholar writes to director
Distinguished American mathematician and recipient of the Fields medal (considered to be among the prestigious medals in the field of Maths), David Mumford, has expressed deep anguish over the de-recognition of the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle. In a letter addressed to IIT-M director Bhaskar Ramamurthi, he said, “I have strong ideas about the importance of free speech and especially the importance of allowing students to discuss vital and difficult issues that confront society today.”
He added, "I was deeply shocked that the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle was de-recognised. I believe campuses must allow open discussion of divisive issues even when it offends some people so that all aspects of an issue are out in the open. Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders and one wants them to think deeply about the direction in which we are all headed."
“On a more personal note, I see many similarities between India's Dalit problems and the African-American problems that have rocked the US since its beginnings. For this reason, I personally take Dr Ambedkar as one of my heroes,” he said.
