IIT-M ban revocation: Modi govt on ''back foot'', says Rahul

New Delhi/Chennai, June 8

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Rahul Gandhi today said the Narendra Modi government is “on the back foot” after the lifting of a ban on a students’ group at IIT-Madras even as he hailed the development as a “big win for students”.

“Ban friendly Modi Sarkar on back foot. IIT Study Circle ban lifted. Big win for students,” the Congress vice-president said in a tweet.

The premier technological institute had yesterday revoked the ban on a students’ group, the de-recognition of which had triggered a row. The institute also appointed a professor as its faculty advisor as it brought an end to the more than a week-long standoff.

Lifting of the ban on Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) and appointment of Professor Miland Brahme as Advisor came after a meeting between the Dean of Students and representatives of the students’ group yesterday.

IIT-M had found itself at the centre of a controversy after it de-recognised APSC, many of whose members are Dalits, following a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union HRD Minster Smriti Irani also came under fire from political parties, including Congress and students’ bodies, for the action against IIT-Madras group.

Meanwhile, DMK Treasurer MK Stalin today welcomed the decision of IIT-Madras to reinstate the recognition of a student body, saying educational institutions should provide space for debate and argument, “even on controversial topics”.

“Student groups should have the freedom to express their views within the bounds of the law and the institution’s rules. The youth are our future and we should give them the freedom to debate and explore different points of view,” he said.

Stalin, who had earlier flayed IIT-M for derecognising Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle following a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said “our educational institutions should provide space for debate and argument even on controversial topics.”

“I welcome the move by IIT-Madras to reinstate the recognition of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle as an independent student body,” he said a statement.

On Sunday, IIT-M had reinstated APSC’s recognition, and appointed a professor as its faculty advisor, bringing an end to the more than a week-long standoff.

Political parties including DMK, Congress and the Left had slammed the institute over the derecognition episode. — PTI