This is an archive article published on April 21, 2024
PhD student suspended: TISS issues public notice, says action after inquiry into his ‘repetitive misconduct’
The notice also points to prolonged occupancy of hostel facilities by Ramadas.
Written by Pallavi Smart
Mumbai | Updated: April 22, 2024 09:01 PM IST
3 min read
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All these faculty members–over 100 teaching and non-teaching staff, were individually sent the new contracts on Monday (File)
A day after reports of suspension of a PhD student, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) administration issued a public notice on Saturday evening calling it malicious propaganda. It added that action taken against Ramadasa Prini Srinivasan is a result of findings of a detailed inquiry by an empowered committee into his repetitive misconduct over a period of time.
“Throughout his tenure, Ramadas KS exhibited a shift in focus towards activities unrelated to his academic pursuits, engaging in events, protests, and other activities influenced by personal political agendas. Despite repeated verbal and written advisories from the TISS Administration to prioritise academic commitments, Ramadas KS failed to comply,” states the public notice, which also listed various activities by Ramadas inside as well as outside of the institute campus, which as per the notice, were not in accordance with the code for students and he was given repeated warnings.
The institute administration on Wednesday issued a suspension order addressed to Ramadas, a PhD candidate from School of Development Studies at TISS. The suspension order dated April 18 referred to a showcause notice issued to Ramadas in March seeking his explanation for repititive misconduct and anti-national activities and suspended him for two years including barring his entry in all campuses.
The Progressive Students Forum (PSF), at TISS, on Friday alleged that the showcause notice was issued to their formal general secretary, following Ramadas’s participation in Parliament March held in January 2024 where 16 student organisations raised voice against the students policies of the BJP government, especially concerning the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
But according to the institute the showcause notice as well as the suspension order is due to his repetitive engagement in unlawful activities during protests, including the Parliament March and disobeying the institute rules/regulations. Stating that the it is in accordance with TISS regulations and standards of conduct, the notice states, “He was afforded ample opportunity to present his side of the story, which he duly utilised.”
The notice also points to prolonged occupancy of hostel facilities by Ramadas. “His unlawful overstay in the hostel has seriously and genuinely deprived other deserving PhD Scholars who were waiting in the queue,” states the notice.
Meanwhile, following the news reports other students organisations, including Students Federation of India (SFI) issued statements in Saturday in support of Ramadas requesting TISS Administration to revoke the suspension.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
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