Restrictions on activities infringing on academic freedom: TISS students’ union

The students’ union at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai on Wednesday said that the restrictions on student activities and the “unprofessional, insensitive communication” by the administration on holding events on campus has raised serious concerns about freedom of expression.

In January, the institute’s administration had issued a notice saying that it was reframing the guidelines on holding events on campus, The Indian Express reported. The administration had suspended such activities, except for fixed annual events, till the new guidelines were formulated.

The students’ body on Wednesday said the administration asking them to convince the competent authorities for permission to hold events undermines student autonomy and creates an unnecessary hurdle in organising activities.

“Institute spaces are platforms for open discussion and discourse; not subject to arbitrary restrictions and approvals,” the statement said. “Students should be empowered to organise events, lectures and engage in discourse within the parameters of academic freedom without the need for undue justification or approval processes.”

The administration, however, had not received any statement from the union, The Times of India quoted an unidentified official from the institute as saying.

“We want our students to focus on academics,” the official said. “They are free to invite renowned academicians or industrialists, but we do not want to encourage any talks or speakers with political affiliation. This is not...

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