Revoke Suspension of TISS Ph.D. Student - Ramadas Prini Sivanandan
Irfan Engineer
Revoke Suspension of TISS Ph.D. Student - Ramadas Prini Sivanandan.
Statement in Support of Constitutional and Academic Freedoms
All India Secular Forum (AISF) strongly condemns the suspension of Ramadas Prini Sivanandan (30) for two years, a student who was pursuing doctorate degree from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. TISS, a premier Institute, suspended Ramadas for allegedly indulging in activities which were "not in the interest of the nation". TISS in a notice served to Ramadas has cited that his role in screening the documentary 'Ram Ke Naam' on January 26 as a "mark of dishonour and protest" against the Ram Mandir idol consecration in Ayodhya. Another incident cited in the notice was Ramadas’ participation in the protest against unfair government policies in Delhi under the banner of PSF-TISS. TISS alleges the institute's name was "misused", which wrongfully created an impression that the PSF had some association with the TISS and its views were endorsed by the institute.
The allegations are absurd given that Ramadas participated in the protest in Delhi in his personal capacity and he is a leader of the Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF). To protest peacefully is a democratic right. It is also crucial to note here that the “Ram ke Naam” documentary is an award winning film which has been screened widely on many campuses including TISS campuses and on national television. The Censor Board has also given its approval to the film for public screening. Ramadas' suspension represents a continued pattern of targeting students and stifling democratic freedoms, including freedom of expression and academic liberties on campuses. Dissenting voices critical of government policies are systematically muzzled.
TISS has termed Ramadas’ participation in protests critical against government policies and films that are critical of the far right agenda of the government as “anti-national activities”. It clearly sends out the message that students and educational institutes will be targeted if they don’t align with the agenda and ideology of the ruling regime. Such actions are an assault on the civic freedoms. AISF demands the immediate revocation of the suspension of Ramadas from TISS. We stand in solidarity with Ramadas, as well as other progressive students at TISS, in their fight against this unjust action.
Irfan Engineer
Neha Dabhade