Students face legal action after commemorating the legacy of former professor GN Saibaba at TISS campus.
At least ten students from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai were booked on Monday for their involvement in a gathering that honored the death anniversary of GN Saibaba, a former professor at Delhi University. The incident, reported by The Indian Express, has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding free expression in educational institutions.
The gathering took place on the TISS campus, where students lit candles and displayed posters to commemorate Saibaba, who had faced significant challenges throughout his life. He was known for his activism and had spent over seven years in jail on allegations of having connections with Maoist groups. Following a lengthy legal battle, he was acquitted by the Bombay High Court in March 2024. Unfortunately, Saibaba passed away on October 12, 2024, due to complications after surgery.
During the memorial event on campus, a group of students linked to the Democratic Secular Students Forum reportedly disrupted the proceedings. Reports indicate that they tore down posters and took photographs of the participants. This disruption has added to the already charged atmosphere surrounding campus activities, particularly those related to political or social issues.
In response to the situation, four students were detained by the police, who also confiscated their laptops and mobile phones. The police have sought the addresses of other students involved in the event, suggesting that the investigation may extend further. The actions taken by the authorities appear to be based on a complaint lodged by the TISS administration.
The first information report (FIR) filed by the police includes several serious charges, including allegations of causing prejudice to the nation and promoting enmity between different groups. Furthermore, the FIR claims that the students engaged in an unlawful assembly and shouted slogans in support of activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, both of whom have been incarcerated for over five years in connection with the alleged conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi violence. However, participants in the gathering have refuted these claims, asserting that no slogans were chanted during the event.
The unfolding events at TISS highlight the delicate balance between academic freedom and the legal implications of political expression on campus. As the investigation proceeds, the situation remains a focal point for discussions about civil liberties and the right to protest within educational institutions in India.
