IISER Pune cancels Ambedkar Jayanti event 'Mukti Parv' after ABVP alleges 'maoist links' of speakers

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune has canceled the ‘Mukti Parv’ event, which was scheduled to be held on April 13, to mark Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. The decision was taken due to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's (ABVP) claiming several Maoist links of speakers referred to as 'Tukde Tukde gang', had been invited for the event.

ABVP delegation had demanded that restrictions should be imposed on radial and casteist speakers during the ‘Mukti Parv’ event being held at IISER Pune. The ABVP delegation met with DCP Pune and signed an agreement to maintain social harmony and law and order.

“ABVP demanded that restrictions must be imposed on radical & casteist speakers during the 'Muktiparv' program to be held at IISERPune. A memorandum was given to the DCP Pune to maintain social harmony and maintain law and order,” ABVP member posted on X.

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IISER Pune to share statement soon

As per The Free Press Journal reports, ABVP had claimed that many radical individuals who are reportedly active in Maoist movements had been invited for the ‘Mukti Parv’ event. Additionally, ABVP had also claimed during the previous year’s ‘Mukti Parv’ event that several students also objected to the ‘religious and casteist’ statements made during the event. Moreover, ABVP also submitted a representation to the director of IISER, Sunil Bhagwat, demanding that such events should be only permitted after they verify the credentials of the speakers being present at the event.

However, the event was cancelled. As per the reports, the IISER administration will share a detailed statement of the institute soon.

According to a student who posted on X, “Only ABVP had a problem with the discussion session, so they applied to DCP Pune to stop this talk and Mukti Parv program organized by IISER institute on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti was cancelled.”