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Protests outside IIT Madras : Ban controversy lingers

by IBNS 29 May 2015, 09:04 pm

Chennai, May 30 (IBNS) The controversy over banning a students gourp in IIT Madras following its criticism of Narendra Modi Government started snowballing as members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged demonstration on Saturday outside the instititution condemning the Human Resource and Development Ministry.

The Radical Students' Youth Front and Thanthai Periyar group will also be staging protests in Chennai.

This comes a day after a war of words ensued between Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and HRD Minister Smriti Irani.

In his tweets, Rahul criticised the Modi government for stifling dissent and curbing the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.

In retaliation, Irani hit out at Rahul and backed IIT-Madras.

"Students’ organisation knew that if procedures are not followed that body will be derecognized by Dean," the HRD Minister said. 

 NSUI workers on Friday evening held a protest outside Irani's official residence in new Delhi and raised anti-government slogans.

Ambedkar Periyar Students Circle was "de-recognised" following an allegation that it was  "creating hatred among students in the name of caste" and also trying to "create hatred against the honourable  Prime Minister and Hindus."