TISS circular bans protests, seminars, meetings for politicians within campus till polls conclude

The list of prohibited activities include: “Holding/organising demonstration, protest, procession of any kind and nature within and in front of the gate of all the campuses of TISS; Organising any kind of screening, broadcast, online viewing of any event, activity, seminar, workshop, meetings etc. on political issues; Holding any kind of march, flash mob, online petition, in solidarity with or in support of any political party, politicians, its affiliated or any other public figure in capacity of TISS Student; Causing interruption, hindrance in the smooth functioning of the Institute; Using property of the Institute for erecting flags, putting up banners, pasting notices or writing slogans, etc.; Forcefully entering into the campus by the outsiders and/or after authorized entering into the campus creating chaos, engaging into verbal arguments and creating disorder with the officers and employees of the Institute and also disturbing the overall peaceful environment of the campus.”

The circular makes it mandatory for all students to carry their identity card at all times while on campus, while also adding that violation of any of the instructions “will be dealt strictly as per rules”.

Soon after the circular was issued, it has met with criticism with many questioning the timing. “The elections have already begun and the Model Code of Conduct, which is being referred to by the administration, has been in place for some days now,” said a student.

Students have alleged that the circular is intended to suppress the support for Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, the PhD student from the institute’s School of Development Studies, who was suspended last week, following a show-cause notice sent to him in March regarding his “repetitive misconduct” and “anti-national activities”.