The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai on Monday withdrew the ban imposed on Progressive Students Forum (PSF), a Left-leaning students’ group active on campus. It has also modified the Honour Code for 2024-25 academic year, which included strict actions if students held political activities, participated in demonstrations which are “anti-establishment” and told them to keep away from “unpatriotic discussions”.
The TISS banned PSF on August 19 for “misleading students” and “defaming institute”. However, on August 24, it declared that the ban will be reviewed.
An office order issued by the officiating registrar on Monday informing about the status of the review, stated, “The same has been reviewed by the competent Authority of the institute and after detailed deliberations, it has been decided to withdraw the said order with immediate effect.”
It further stated, “The TISS Administration remains committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all the members of the institute and it urges all members to refrain from any actions or activities that may disrupt the academic atmosphere or tarnish the reputation of the institute.”
The order also stated that the restriction is meant to “preserve the values of mutual respect, unity and academic integrity on our campuses, ensuring that this continues to be a space of positive engagement and academic growth”. It asked students to adhere to the Honour Code of the academic year 2024-25 declared on September 16, a modified version of the one declared initially in August at the beginning of the academic year.
In a separate office order also signed by the officiating registrar, the institute administration declared that it has modified the Honour Code for students for the current academic year. The modified Honour Code removed the parts from the original document which prescribed strict action leading up to termination of a student in case of infringement of instructions such as not indulging in any political, anti-establishment, unpatriotic discussions, demonstrations, dharna or any form of activities that disturbs the academic environment of the institute.
The undertaking that students have to sign, under the heading of disciplinary action, now states, “I acknowledge that TISS reserves the right to take disciplinary action against me for violation of its rules, policies, or for any other reasons as specified in the institute’s regulations. I commit to refrain from any actions or activities that may disrupt the academic environment or damage the reputation of the institute.”
It has removed the parts related to political activities and “anti-establishment”, “unpatriotic discussions.”
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