TISS issues showcause notice to assistant prof over viral protest video

According to the memo dated October 8, signed by the officiating registrar of the TISS, Narendra Mishra, disciplinary action is initiated against Dr Sengupta for violation of two clauses of the institute bylaws – participation in political activity which is banned for any institute employee without prior permission from the administration and criticism of the institute which refrains employees from making any statement in public which is criticising the institute or is capable of embarrassing the relations between institute and the central or state government.

The institute had banned PSF in August but revoked it in September.

The memo issued to Dr Sengupta termed PSF as an unrecognised student body and held the assistant professor in contempt of court citing the ongoing litigation in the Bombay High Court regarding suspension of Ramadas, a PhD scholar from the TISS who faced action in April for ‘anti-national activities.’

Highlighting the video and Dr Sengupta’s participation in the protest, which included PSF members along with other student bodies, the memo, states that he “can be seen sloganeering, inciting, and encouraging students present there for similar protests, which may disturb the peaceful academic environment of the Campuses of TISS.”

It further adds, “Dr. Sengupta has been appointed to conduct teaching, research and field action research to motivate the students to do their best in academics and related knowledge gaining exercise. However, contrary to that he is seen promoting activities that have no connection with any of the tasks meant for a teacher.”

Dr Sengupta however in his response to the memo termed it “factually unfounded” and alleged that he was not allowed any opportunity for in-person hearing.

Response by Dr. Sengupta

In his response to the institute on October 13, Dr Sengupta stated that the gathering was organised to address various issues and concerns pertaining to current academic functioning at TISS, including the educational implications of “the deep uncertainty being faced by 119 teaching and non-teaching staff whose positions are funded by the TET.”

“The said video presents a section of a talk I gave at a students’ gathering organised by the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA) and the Progressive Students’ Organisation (PSO) on October 4 at the TISS Hyderabad Off-Campus.

Dr Sengupta in his response also refuted the allegation by the administration which states that he encouraged students to protest.

“In the said video, I clearly mention all three major students’ organisations present across TISS campuses – PSF ASA and PSO – as a recognition of the fact that there is today a generalised concern and anxiety amongst the TISS student body as a whole about the academic implications of a large number of their teachers being terminated post December 31, 2024. It must be noted in this context that in the TISS Hyderabad Off-Campus itself, TET faculty members account for more than fifty percent of the total faculty strength,” he mentioned.

Confirming that the administration has received the response, an official from the institute said, “There is no action taken against Prof. Dr. Sengupta. He will be given a hearing by the committee, following the process.”