The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has sought an explanation from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras for derecognising the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle. The IIT-M has been asked to send its response by fax, or a personal appearance will be called for.
The commission is expecting a reply by Monday as the notice was issued on Friday, Chairman P. L. Punia told The Hindu. If the IIT-M is found to be in violation of the law, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the commission could instruct the police to register an FIR.
In May, the IIT-M de-recognised the study circle on the premise that it had violated guidelines while organising a meeting in which some literature — critical of the Narendra Modi government and with potential to spread hatred among communities — was circulated. Following the uproar in various quarters over the bid to curb free expression, the IIT-M said on Friday that it did not curtail the freedom of expression but student groups were expected to adhere to guidelines while conducting their activities.
