Who is dalit student Ramadas Sivandan suspended by TISS?

Ramadas Sivanadan, a Dalit PhD scholar and student leader, has been suspended by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) administration for two years. The administration cited "repetitive misconduct and anti-national activities" as the reason, while the Progressive Students Forum (PSF) alleges it is linked to Sivanadan's participation in a protest march against alleged anti-student policies of the central government. 

The suspension order, dated April 18, prohibits student Ramadas Prini Sivanandan from accessing any Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) campus. It references a show-cause notice issued on March 7, which questioned his involvement in a march and other activities on the Mumbai campus.

Following the notice, a committee submitted its recommendations on April 17, suggesting a two-year suspension and campus debarment. The suspension order, accepted by the competent authority, enforces these recommendations.

Moreover, the students' association highlighted that the documentary "Ram Ke Naam" has been officially screened at TISS in the past, publicly available for viewing, and broadcasted by state broadcaster Doordarshan. The forum alleges that the current TISS administration aims to restrict online discourse and censor student expression.

Who is dalit student Ramadas Sivandan?

Ramadas Prini Sivanadan is a PhD research scholar in Development Studies at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai and is a well-known left student leader on campus. Hailing from the Dalit community in Thrissur, Kerala, Ramadas is currently recuperating in Kerala from a recent motorbike accident.

Ramdas, an active student leader at TISS Mumbai, currently holds positions as a member of the Central Executive Committee of SFI and as the Joint Secretary of SFI Maharashtra. He previously served as the General Secretary of PSF and is presently a member of the Students Federation of India.

TISS student group condemns suspension

The Progressive Students’ Forum, a group at TISS, condemned the suspension, calling it a severe threat to student expression. They criticized the administration for targeting students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, labelling them as "anti-national" for voicing their opinions. Additionally, they accused the administration of prioritizing crackdowns on protests over addressing issues like hostel conditions and infrastructure.

"However, by suspending and debarring entry into campus for two years, the TISS administration is indirectly trying to curb all dissent against the BJP government," the student body alleged regarding the Parliament March organized by student groups to protest the 2020 National Education Policy.

This action, according to the statement, serves as a warning to all TISS students against protesting and speaking out against the administration's policies. This incident is not isolated, as TISS has faced previous criticism for limiting freedoms.

Earlier in January 2024, the institution imposed restrictions on campus activities without providing clear guidelines, leading to concerns among students. Additionally, TISS Mumbai had prohibited protests against the Ram Temple inauguration in Uttar Pradesh earlier this year.

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