It is welcome that the ban on the student body at IIT-Madras has been lifted and the controversy sorted out to the satisfaction of all concerned (“ >Following protests, IIT-M lifts ban on study circle ”, June 8). While the management has now learnt a lesson on how to handle such sensitive issues in future, it is also time for the students to confine themselves to a serious pursuit of studies instead of wasting their precious time on unwarranted issues.
Yvonne Fernando,
Chennai
The fact that the issue took on political dimensions is a matter for serious concern. Today it involved the IIT, tomorrow it might be another prestigious institute. Academic institutions must always be free from political interference.
S. Ramakrishnasayee,
Ranipet, Tamil Nadu
The decision is a blow for the freedom of speech and expression. The students belonging to the body deserve appreciation for standing up to the pressure tactics adopted by the IIT management under pressure from various bodies including the HRD Ministry. Hopefully, this incident should serve as a lesson to the powers that be not to meddle with constitutionally mandated rights.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Tiruchi
The IITs and similar institutes of repute must now have a legal wing to handle all non-academic issues challenging the administration so that the dean’s time and energy can be better utilised for institutional, academic and professional functions. For all non-academic grievances, students can express their opinions and submit them to the legal wing which can then be forwarded to the Government of India for comment and response. There are also constitutional forums which the students can approach to seek redress of their so-called sociopolitical and religious grievances.
B. Sankaran,
Chennai
Views and counterviews must be welcomed and rationally debated by young minds. This is essential for democracy, the freedom of expression, intellectual discourse and to the higher learning these students seek. It is out-of-the-box thinking that always leads to intellectual advancement. The HRD Ministry must also introspect over whether its overzealous response to an anonymous letter was merit-based or agenda-driven.
Vinod Kumar B.,
Bengaluru
The entire, sordid affair could have been handled in a non-controversial way by calling for an explanation from the students concerned. Now, thanks to content-starved 24X7 media news channels, the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle is a global name. That said, why an institute of technology needs a department of humanities is anybody’s guess. The campus is no longer the same as the advent of such a department has opened the floodgates to a new kind of placard-bearing student. During the protests in Chennai, there was the ugly sight of posters bearing derogatory content inciting people and students along communal lines.
K.S. Jayatheertha,
Bengaluru
