Union Minister Smriti Irani’s HRD finds itself in the midst of a row involving the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-Madras) over action taken against a student body.

The controversy involves the alleged derecognition of a students’ body for reportedly criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Quick to seize on the opportunity, Congress-linked NSUI marched to Smriti Irani’s residence and raised slogans against her there.

A senior official of the premier Central technical institute told reporters that the students had “violated” defined guidelines of IIT-Madras.

Read Rahul Gandhi’s reaction on Twitter:

“As per the guidelines in force, student bodies cannot use the name of IIT Madras or its official entities in any capacity to publicise their activities or garner support without official permission,” Prof Ramamurthy, Acting Director, told reporters here.

“This group has violated the guidelines while conducting their meeting,” he said without elaborating.

A separate statement by the institute said that while IIT-M does not “curtail” students’ freedom of expression, “it is expected that student groups adhere to these guidelines while conducting their activities.”

Ministry of HRD Statement on IIT Madras Matter
A news item regarding action taken by IIT, Madras against the Students Group, viz., Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle, has appeared in some newspapers.
The action has been taken by IIT, Madras as per the guidelines of the Institute, Ministry of Human Resource Development had nothing to do with this except for forwarding the complaint received to Director, IIT, Madras for comments. IIT, Madras has taken action as per their own procedure and Institute’s guidelines. IITs being autonomous institutions, they are competent to handle matters within their guidelines and procedure. The matter has been clarified by IIT, Madras through a media statement dated May 29th, 2015.

The institute’s response comes in the wake of reports that the student group ‘Ambedkar Periyar Students Circle’ (APSC) was “derecognised” following an allegation that it was instigating hatred against the PM.

Meanwhile, the Smriti Irani’s Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry, which forwarded a complaint made by some students about the APSC to the institute, has so far refused to react on the issue.

Asked about complaints that the students concerned were not given a hearing to present their case, Ramamurthy said the dean of students had asked them to appear before the Board of Students in August after the institute, closed for the summer vacations, reopens.

Asked if the action was taken on an “anonymous complaint” against APSC, the acting director said he was not aware of it.

Several student organisations function in the campus operating on the basis of student involvement and initiatives, the institute said in a statement.

While some represent the ‘entire student body,’ elected and run by themselves, some groups are formed on the basis of interests of students, it said.

Students groups which desire to use the institute’s resources are required to be recognised and have to follow the guidelines by the Board of Students which consists of all elected student representatives, it added.

“Normally violation of these guidelines leads to temporary derecognition, pending their presenting stands to Board of Students. In the present case also, the same procedure is being followed,” it said.