IIT Madras denies request for anti-NEET solidarity protest

CHENNAI: A campus row has surfaced at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M), with a recognised student body alleging that the institute administration denied permission for a peaceful solidarity gathering over examination irregularities and asked it to remove a post on Instagram supporting students protesting across the country.

ChintaBAR, an independent student body at IIT Madras, said it had sought permission on July 20 to organise a peaceful gathering in solidarity with students affected by alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities in national-level entrance examinations, including NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and those participating in ongoing protests in Delhi and other cities.

In its representation to the institute, the student body said repeated examination irregularities, cancellations and re-examinations had inflicted severe academic, emotional and financial stress on students. It also assured the administration that the proposed gathering would remain peaceful, adhere to institute regulations and would not disrupt academic activities.

However, a student associated with ChintaBAR alleged that the group's representatives were called in for a meeting with the Dean of Students, Sathyanarayana N Gummadi, on July 20, in the presence of elected Students' General Secretary Annapureddy Suresh.

"The dean asked us to take down the Instagram video uploaded on July 17 expressing solidarity with students protesting in Delhi. He also declined permission for the gathering, saying IIT Madras did not want to disturb or disrupt its relationship with the BJP-led Central government over the ongoing student protests," the student alleged.

According to ChintaBAR, the student body subsequently removed the video after informing fellow students via WhatsApp groups about the reason behind the decision. The video featured IIT Madras students holding placards highlighting alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities.

Another student alleged that institute officials told the group it was not allowed to protest because such demonstrations would tarnish the image of IIT Madras. The institute had not issued a response to the allegations at the time of publication.