“Do not participate in ant-national,anti-social and undesirable activities” :IIT-Bombay students receive email

After 1,500 students took part in a rally on the occasion of Republic Day the circular comes to create awareness about the Constitution of India

Mumbai: On Tuesday hostel residents at IIT-Bombay have been asked not to take part in any “anti-national, anti-social or any other undesirable activities” in an email sent by the Dean of Student Affairs.

Although the letter does not describe what the college administration construes as “anti-national” or “undesirable activities”, the warning comes in the between protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act and in support with students of Jamia Millia Islamia and the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

The email letter, a copy in which, lists out 15 rules, which the students are expected to follow at all times. Apart from the “anti-national” activities, which is point 10 on the list, other things barred are the distribution of leaflets or pamphlets and speeches, plays and music “that disturb the peace of the hostel atmosphere“.

It states only matters that are approved from the office of the Dean of Student Affairs will be permitted on campus. The circular has warned students of partial or permanent suspension from the hostel if rules, which come into effect immediately, are violated.

The IIT- Bombay students feel that this has been done to silence voices of dissent, especially because students of the campus have been actively participating in the anti-CAA protests happening countrywide.

A student said, “There is no clarity that how it is anti-national and anti-social activity to participate in the protest. We are trying to understand what is allowed and what is not. But it is sad that there is a clampdown by the campus administration on freedom of speech and expression.”

Another student from IIT-Bombay said that these restrictions will not bog them down. “Students will continue to protest against the CAA. The administration should come out with more clarity and not issue vague circulars. Staging an agitation is our democratic right.”

After 1,500 students took part in a rally on the occasion of Republic Day the circular comes to create awareness about the Constitution of India. On Republic Day, another demonstration was held by students and faculty, called ‘Reclaiming the Republic’. Many posters in support of women agitating at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh were seen during the march.