TISS fines students protesting on campus

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), after an independent inquiry conducted by the administration, will impose a fine of ₹1,000 each on students who had blocked the administrative wing of the institute during a protest in March.

Around 18 students received a mail from the institute on Thursday afternoon, asking them to deposit the fine within the next two weeks.

“Taking into account your actions, which included blocking of the administrative offices as well as illegally and forcibly entering the registrar’s office and accessing official documents, all charges stand partially proved and deserve serious action. However, looking at the academic career ahead of the student, it has been decided to warn the student and impose a fine of ₹1,000,” said the official letter sent to each of the students.

It further states that the collected fine will go towards the students’ aid fund.

While 27 students were sent a show-cause notice, the inquiry committee proved charges against 18 students, who have been asked to pay the fine.

“Some of the students who have already graduated have been left off the hook. The institute’s move shows that we will be reprimanded if we fight for the rights of students,” said one of the students fined by the institute.

On February 21, a bandh was called by the TISS students’ union to protest the institute’s decision to withdraw fee waivers to SC, ST and OBC students eligible for the Government of India Post Matric Scholarship (GoIPMS).

In the last week of March, the administration of Tata Institute of Social Sciences filed a suit against 27 students for encroaching the registrar’s office and blocking the administrative wing, which left it inaccessible to any staff member and hampering the management of the institute.

MUMBAI: