Campus Talk: Student forums decry TISS ban on PSF, call it direct attack on democratic values

Demanding withdrawal of the order issued on Monday that banned PSF the joint statement said, “TISS as an institute used to stand for providing a democratic space and a place for different ideologies to co-exist together while not penalising students for subscribing to any particular ideology.”

It said the ban was a direct attack on the democratic values on campus and the students’ right to self-determination and to subscribe to the ideology they believe in.

The administration, however, stood firm on its decision. An official from the administration said, “There are many informal students’ collectives on campus, which do not have any official recognition from the administration. But no action has been taken against anyone apart from this particular group for reasons explained in the order. The institute intends only to promote academic culture on campus and not disturb the democratic set-up. There is a dedicated students’ affairs office to help students with all the issues they might have.”

The TISS on Monday issued an office order declaring an “immediate ban” on the PSF, which is affiliated with the Left-leaning Students Federation of India (SFI), citing it as “misleading students” and “defaming the institute”.

Under the order, PSF members were prohibited from organising or participating in any campus events. The order also declared, “Any student or faculty member found supporting, associating with, or propagating the group’s divisive ideologies will face disciplinary action as per institute policies.”