Mumbai
TISS has suspended a PhD student, Ramadas Prinisivanandan, for two years, citing his involvement in activities deemed not in the interest of the nation. Prinisivanandan, pursuing his doctorate in Development Studies, has been banned from entering TISS campuses in Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad, and Guwahati.
The suspension notice, dated March 7, cited Prinisivanandan’s participation in protests and screenings of documentaries, including ‘Ram Ke Naam,’ preceding January 26. The notice also mentioned his role in organizing events like the Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture with controversial guest speakers.
TISS accused Prinisivanandan of deliberately engaging in unlawful activities under the guise of freedom of speech and expression, which it deemed anti-national. Consequently, the institute deemed his actions as serious criminal offenses and suspended him for two years.
Prinisivanandan, from Kerala, plans to appeal the suspension. The Progressive Student Forum, a Left-leaning student group he is associated with, defended his actions, stating that the protests were against the National Education Policy. They highlighted the distinguished guests invited to events like the Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture.
