IIT Bombay notifies Event rules; No Political event allowed, permission from police required

ABHAY ANAND

Manager Editorial

New Delhi, Updated on Nov 15, 2023 11:08 IST

Protests of any form including protest marches or gatherings on campus require prior permission from the institute and local police.

Following the recent controversy around the discussion on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has issued interim guidelines on holding events at the institute. 

IIT Bombay through the rule has stated that its primary objective is to offer education at the highest level conduct impactful research and carry out the vision of the Government of India in taking the country to a higher level of development.

“While IIT Bombay encourages free and open discussion on educational subjects, it must also remain apolitical in all its endeavours. Hence it is imperative that our students, faculty and staff members stay away from activities/events on campus that may invite socio-political controversies, diverting IIT from its primary mission, or may bring IIT Bombay into disrepute,” reads the rule issued by IIT Bombay.

The institute has barred events political or potentially political, i.e. those that have any content that may be viewed as political or socially confiding.

Protests of any form including protest marches or gatherings on campus require prior permission from the institute and local police.

Permission to Hold Events and Vetting of External Speakers Official permission is needed to organize any event on campus, with certain exceptions as noted below. - Student organized - Students can organize events only through the recognized bodies of the campus which are part of the student gymkhana after obtaining approval from the Dean (SA).

Reacting to the decision of IIT Bombay, Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle, the student body has stated that the new rule infringes the constitutional liberties of students and is also almost comical to read. The rules effectively prevent students from organizing events, seminars, demonstrations, and protests.

APPSC IIT Bombay says: “One wonders what would the students and other campus residents be allowed to do freely then? Bury their heads in the computers and never look up? What would we learn in such an environment; to never form any communities?”

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About the Author

ABHAY ANAND

Manager Editorial

Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.