Ramdas Suspension In Accordance With Regulations: TISSTata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has released a statement addressing recent reports surrounding the suspension of Ramadas Sivanadan, a Dalit PhD scholar, emphasizing that the decision was made in accordance with institute regulations and standards of conduct.
According to TISS, Ramadas, enrolled for integrated MPhil, Ph.D. and later transitioned to the Ph.D. program, exhibited a shift towards activities unrelated to academic pursuits, including protests and events influenced by personal political agendas. Despite repeated advisories to prioritize academic commitments, he failed to comply.
Instances cited include organizing screenings of banned documentaries and attempting to invite controversial speakers without approval, leading to disruptive protests on campus. Despite a show cause notice and ample opportunity to present his side, Ramadas continued to engage in unlawful activities, leading to his suspension following a detailed inquiry.
“In light of these actions, a thorough inquiry and detailed findings presented by the Empowered Committee in its report dated 17h April, 2024, Mr. Ramadas KS has been suspended from TISS for repetitively engaging in unlawful activities during protests, including the Parliament March and disobeying the institute rules/regulations. He was afforded ample opportunity to present his side of the story, which he duly utilized,” the TISS statement said.
Ramadas’s suspension has sparked outcry among students, particularly from the Progressive Student’s Forum (PSF), alleging it was linked to his participation in protests against government policies. PSF views this as an attack on freedom of speech and expression, especially for marginalized students.
Ramadas, known for his advocacy for social justice, is currently pursuing his PhD at TISS’s School of Development Studies.
United Students of India, a federation of student associations, published this statement condemned the suspension and debarring from entering campus for 2 years. “Such a pseudo-nationalistic evaluation of students by the TISS administration can only be viewed as an attempt to crush the voices of dissent against the BJP-Sangh Parivar. As a first-generation learner, Ramadas has consistently and unequivocally defended student rights in campus. He has worked hard to build joint platforms and alliances among all student organizations. He represents the ‘United Students of India, the joint platform comprising of 16 major student organizations across the country. The targeting of students by the TISS administration appears to be nothing more than an attempt to appease the ruling BJP. Victimizing a student from Dalit background also aligns with the BJP’s broader project to exclude students from marginalized communities from higher education. Such actions undoubtedly tarnish the independent academic credibility of the institute,” the United Students of India said in a statement.