PhD student suspended: TISS issues public notice, says action after inquiry into his ‘repetitive misconduct’

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.