‘Assault on democracy’: TISS student forum condemns ban; urges chancellor to revoke order

NEW DELHI: Calling the ban an “assault on democracy” and “unwarranted”, the Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF), a student body of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), condemned the move and wrote to the institute's chancellor demanding withdrawal of the order. The Mumbai-based institute recently imposed a ban on the student association terming it as “unauthorized” and “illegal”.

In a letter to professor DP Singh, PSF explained its role and responsibilities and raised objections to the ban on various levels. pointed to the tussle between the administration and student forum.

The organization, currently running with 150 second-year postgraduate students and research scholars, was set up in 2012. The student group claimed it has organized various events including lectures, panel discussions, cultural programmes, and academic support sessions, all with the approval of the authorities.

PSF-led activities

Listing down its accomplishments, PSF recalled how it helped students during Covid, advocated for hostel facilities, maternity leave, provided support to students in admissions, and intervened in fee hike issues. The student forum claimed that the institute allowed it to conduct the activities and it never interrupted any classroom session.

The student forum expressed shock over the “strong” words and threatening used by TISS in its office order. “This extreme language used attempts to ostracise and target student members of PSF and vilify the group without any justification and without following any due process,” it said and added that it works in a lawful and peaceful manner. Claiming that it has always taken prior permission from the concerned authorities for using any part of the campus, PSF stated, “ this kind of arbitrary action against PSF is unwarranted and condemnable and should be taken back immediately.”

TISS administration vs student body

PSF went on to blame the union government for the “washing out” campus democracy with its takeover of the institute. The student body shared a timeline of “anti-student” actions taken by the TISS management such as stopping student-led events, suspending PhD scholar, terminating teachers and staff on mass level, suspending student union, among others.

The students claimed that the ban came 10 minutes before a signature campaign against the administration, without any communication and an opportunity to defend the allegations. Citing how the University Grants Commission (UGC) encourages formation of student associations, PSF saw the ban as a direct attack on academic freedom and a wrong example for other institutes.

Further, PSF mentioned how other student groups and teachers supported the organisation and expressed its inability to help students due to the ban. “We request you to intervene and take back this unlawful action by the administration and also call upon the students, faculty members, and staff across all TISS campuses to resist such an attack on campus democracy,” the Progressive Students’ Forum lastly stated.