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This is an archive article published on August 2, 2023
MP Viswam writes to SAU, slams ‘undertaking’ for new batch of students
The Indian Express reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs and received no response.
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On July 29, The Indian Express first reported on SAU asking students who have been admitted in the new academic session to sign an “undertaking” declaring that they will neither join any agitation or strike nor participate in any activity that has a “tendency to disturb peace” on the campus. (Express File Photo)
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MP Viswam writes to SAU, slams ‘undertaking’ for new batch of students
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Rajya Sabha MP and CPI leader Binoy Viswam wrote to the acting president of South Asian University (SAU) Tuesday expressing his “disgust” and “anguish” at the mandatory general undertaking that was recently introduced for newly admitted students.
On July 29, The Indian Express first reported on SAU asking students who have been admitted in the new academic session to sign an “undertaking” declaring that they will neither join any agitation or strike nor participate in any activity that has a “tendency to disturb peace” on the campus. It had also asked them to declare that they are not suffering from any “psychiatric or psychological disorder”.
The university told The Indian Express that its response to the letter has been uploaded on its website, which said, “Nothing in the General Declaration/ Undertaking signed by newly admitted students may be construed as prejudicing in any manner the SAARC Intergovernmental Agreement, Rules, Regulations and Bye Laws.”
The Indian Express reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs and received no response.
Viswam said, “Protests and democratic dialogue have been instrumental in shaping the entire South Asian region. Curtailing the rights of students from participating in democratic dialogue… is an obstacle in realising the vision behind South Asian University, which aimed to impart liberal and humane education.”
Viswam further said, “The declaration about psychological disorders or serious illness is highly discriminatory, inhumane and unscientific at the same time.”
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