New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Friday said the government had no role in banning a student group at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras for distributing controversial pamphlets that were likely “to create an atmosphere of hate” and the action taken was according to the institute’s “own procedure and guidelines”.
Irani’s statement followed reports stating that the institute had taken action against the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) – a students’ study group – over an anonymous complaint to the central government, saying the study group was trying to “create an atmosphere of hatred” among students by distributing “controversial pamphlets and posters” on the campus.
In a statement, the ministry said: “The action has been taken by IIT-Madras as per the guidelines of the institute, the ministry of human resource development had nothing to do with this except for forwarding the complaint received to director, IIT, Madras for comments.”
IIT-Madras has taken action as per their own “procedure and institute’s guidelines”, it said.
“IITs being autonomous institutions, they are competent to handle matters within their guidelines and procedure. The matter has been clarified by IIT, Madras through a media statement,” it added.
In a letter dated May 15, the ministry had written to the IIT saying it had received an “anonymous letter” alleging serious complaints from students along with a pamphlet of APSC requesting comments from the institute.
The anonymous letter said some controversial posters and pamphlets were pasted and distributed all over the institute.
“One group ‘Ambedkar Periyar’ is trying to de-align the ST/SC students and trying to make them to protest against the MHRD and central government. They are also trying to create hatred against the prime minister and Hindus,” it said, adding the group was using IIT Madras as a stage to get publicity.
The institute’s spokesperson said that while IIT-Madras did not curtail freedom of expression of the students, it is expected that student groups adhere to guidelines of the institute while conducting their activities. (IANS)
