Controversy Surrounding TISS Student Suspension: A Clash Over Dissent and Discipline”

The Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) has imposed a two-year suspension on a PhD student, citing “repetitive misconduct and anti-national activities.” The Progressive Students Forum (PSF) alleges that this decision stems from the student’s involvement in a protest march in Delhi against perceived anti-student policies of the central government. However, the institute maintains that the suspension is due to a serious breach of its discipline code.

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TISS

The suspension order, issued on April 18, also prohibits the student, Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, from accessing any TISS campus. It refers to a prior show-cause notice sent to him on March 7, which questioned his participation in the protest march and other activities on the Mumbai campus.

According to the notice, Ramadas allegedly misrepresented the institute by participating in the protest under the banner of PSF-TISS, an unrecognized student body. This, the institute claims, created a false impression as TISS is funded by the Ministry of Education.

The protest march, organized under the banner of United Students of India, aimed to oppose the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the ruling BJP government’s policies.

In response, the PSF criticized the institute’s actions, accusing it of suppressing dissent against the government. Ramadas, a PhD scholar from the Dalit community and former PSF general secretary, is currently associated with the Student Federation of India (SFI). The PSF highlights his academic achievements and condemns the institute’s actions as targeting marginalized students.

The institute’s objections also extended to Ramadas’s social media posts promoting a documentary screening critical of the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya. The PSF asserts that such screenings have been held at TISS before and criticizes the administration’s attempt to restrict online discourse.

Despite his association with unauthorized events, demonstrations, and controversial speakers, Ramadas has reportedly responded to all notices issued by the institute. However, the PSF and supporters view the institute’s actions as favoring the ruling government at the expense of marginalized students’ futures.