Chennai: In yet another controversy over the Indian caste system, the National Commission for Scheduled Caste has sent a notice to IIT Madras regarding their ban on a students' group that consist of mainly Dalit members.
The commission is expecting a reply at the earliest, Chairman P L Punia said. If the IIT-M is found to be in violation of the law, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the commission could instruct the police to register an FIR. IIT-M is in the eye of the storm for de-recognising the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle on the basis that it was critical to Modi and his government. While the action has led to reflexive protests by the Congress and AAP, the Union Government has washed its hands off saying neither the party, nor the Centre has anything to do with the decision, and it was solely taken by the administration of the institute, on the basis of misuse of privileges and violation of guidelines.
DMK chief Karunanidhi has asked for the direct intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke the order immediately. “Because of this incident, the otherwise peacefully functioning institute has turned into a war zone,” he said. He also pointed his finger at union education minister Smriti Irani, saying ministers' interference on such issues will impact both, the youth of the country and the nation' peace.
The agitated members have raised slogans against the Centre and sought to staging protests in front of the institute to condemn the ban.
