DYFI members protest outside IIT-M, detained
NEW DELHI: Volunteers belonging to the leftist DYFI were detained on Saturday after they tried to stage a road blockade outside IIT, Madras to protest the derecognition of a students’ group for allegedly criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even as some political parties expressed concern over ‘threats’ to freedom of expression.
The agitating members of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) raised slogans against the Modi-led Union government and HRD minister Smriti Irani even as they were whisked away by the policemen.
They also had a heated exchange of words with the police and raised slogans against the management of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) and sought action against it for derecognising Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle recently.
A DYFI volunteer said the “agenda of RSS” will not be allowed in Tamil Nadu. Security has been beefed up around IIT-M in anticipation of more protests, police said.
Meanwhile, DMK and MDMK expressed “shock” over the “intolerance” shown by the authorities of IIT-M, and expressed concern over “threats” to freedom of expression.
“This stand to curb freedom of expression taken by the institution and the Union government is most disheartening. This incident displays a clear unwarranted interference of the Union government in the running of an educational institution,” DMK treasurer M K Stalin said in a statement.
Young minds should be allowed to engage in societal dialogue constructively and dissent should not be stifled, he said, adding, “Such regressive and repressive actions will lead to unrest and rebellion among youth.” MDMK leader Vaiko slammed Irani for saying she had nothing to do with the derecognition episode even as he condemned the institute’s management for “stifling” dissent.
“Irani should realise that none has the right to snatch away the basic right of freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” he said.
ARUNDHATI ROY BACKS BANNED STUDENT GROUP
Author and activist Arundhati Roy has come out in support of the student group banned by IITMadras on the charge of inciting “hatred” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hindus, saying it had “touched a nerve” by making the connection between big business and casteism.
Besides sending an email to the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, Roy issued a statement expressing her support to the group.
“You have my unhesitating support. You have touched a nerve – what you are saying and seeing i.e.: that casteism and corporate capitalism go hand in hand is the last thing the authorities and the government want to hear,” she wrote in her email to the group comprising largely of Dalit students.