When every other party in the State vehemently condemned the de-recognition of Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle, a student group, by the IIT-Madras, the BJP defended the act claiming that the group was spreading hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
After de-recognition, there was tension on the IIT-M campus. The Centre has no culture of holding consultation with the Opposition parties.
Likewise, the IIT-M administration has acted on its own without any consultation. It showed an authoritarian streak, said Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) president G.K. Vasan, asking the Centre to instruct the IIT-M administration to restore the recognition of the group.
Meanwhile, the DMK youth wing has decided to hold a demonstration in front of the IIT-M campus in Adyar on June 1 protesting de-recognition of the APSC.
In a statement, the youth wing secretary Ela. Pugazhendi said the group was espousing progressive thoughts among the student community. It was against imposition of Hindi and Sanskrit and BJP’s communal vote bank politics. “How can it be termed wrong,” he asked announcing a massive protest meeting on June 1.
Manitheneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) general secretary Tamimun Ansari said the de-recognition violates the fundamental rights bestowed by the Constitution. It was an open secret that the group has been banned as it was exposing the communal nature of the BJP-led Centre, he said.
Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) general secretary Abdul Samad also condemned the act that had angered the student community across the country. He wondered how could action be taken based on an anonymous petition and without any consultation with student groups.
BJP defends
Contrary to the view of the majority that the freedom of speech and expression should not be curtailed, BJP national secretary H. Raja told reporters in Madurai that the focus should be on education in colleges and needless stirring of political protests and hatred should not be encouraged.
Justifying the action taken to de-recognise the study circle, Mr Raja said that the action taken was actually late as he had brought the activities of the group to the notice of the Dean of IIT almost six months ago.
“We had heard reports that they were needlessly propagating hatred against Prime Minister Modi and HRD Minister Smriti Irani. Such emotions should not be propagated and it is needless in an educational institution of repute,” he said.
Playing it safe, Union Minister of State Pon. Radhamrishnan said the Centre was always with the students and asked the Opposition not to politicise the issue.
