‘Attempt to curb criticism’: Students after TISS adopts new code banning ‘unpatriotic discussions’
The institute has said it reserves the right to terminate the enrolment of any student who participates in ‘political, anti-establishment’ activities.
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Students at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences have demanded that the deemed university either withdraw or clearly explain clauses in a revised honour code that forbid them from participating in any “political, anti-establishment, unpatriotic discussions”, reported Hindustan Times on Wednesday.
The students also said that this was another attempt at “curbing any voice of criticism against the establishment or the government”, reported The Indian Express.
With the beginning of the new academic year in August, the institute introduced a revised honour code stating that the admission of a student may be terminated if they indulged in “unpatriotic dharna [demonstrations], or any form of activities that disturbs the academic environment of the institute”.
It included a 10-point directive with instructions related to attendance, safety, integrity and use of the institute’s resources.
“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,” read the undertaking that all students were required to sign.
The students, however, raised concerns about the lack of a clear definition for words like “unpatriotic” or “anti-establishment”.
“Considering some of the recent developments, revision in honour code is not a surprise,” The Indian Express quoted an unidentified student as saying. “For the first time, it specifically talks about consequences of indulging in political...
