TISS revises honour code: Bans participation in ‘anti-establishment’, ‘unpatriotic’ discussions

As the new academic year began in August, this revised honor code was out for students who had to sign and submit an undertaking that they will adhere to by all the regulations.

The undertaking includes ten-pointer directives including various instructions related to attendance, integrity, safety and use of TISS resources among all.

Under “Withdrawal and Termination”, the undertaking states, “I acknowledge that the TISS reserves the right to terminate my enrolment for violations of TISS policies or other reasons as specified in the institute’s regulations. I would not indulge in any political, anti-establishment, unpatriotic discussions, demonstrations, dharna or any form of activities that disturbs the academic environment of the institute. I understand that any infringements would attract strict action against me.”

Several students have expressed concerns over the revised code of honour,  stating that these are just “newer words” used to “suppress the voice of dissent”.

“Considering some of the recent developments, revision in honor code is not a surprise. For the first time it specifically talks about consequences of indulging in political activities and unpatriotic discussion,” said one of the students.

However others added that it lacks a clear definition of what is “unpatriotic” or “anti-establishment”.

“This is just a way of curbing any voice of criticism against the establishment or the government,” said the student.

Recently, TISS Mumbai had banned Progressive Students Forum – a Left-leaning students’ group active on campus.

In April, a PhD scholar from TISS, also a member of PSF, was suspended for two years for alleged repetitive misconduct and anti-national activities.

The student has moved Bombay High Court against the suspension and has challenged the old honor code of the institute.

According to faculty members, instructions like these are detrimental to the identity of TISS which is an institute of social science.

“It requires us to question society and study current happenings,” said a faculty member.

“It is wrong to curb voices in any institution of higher learning and detrimental to have such restrictions to be imposed on a social science institute,” added another faculty member.

Registrar of the institute Narendra Mishra, however, said that revision of honor code is a regular process.

“Not only honor code for students but even other documents such as handbooks for students, prospectus of the institute are updated time-to-time with changing conditions and newer requirements,” he said while adding “Why should anyone object to these instructions, unless their motive is to indulge in such activities? Students have already accepted and submitted the undertakings.”