January 07, 2025 07:45 pm (IST)
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Smriti Irani, Rahul Gandhi indulge in Twitter war over IIT Madras controversy
New Delhi, May 29 (IBNS) A war of words took place on social networking site Twitter as Union Human Resource Development Minister Smirit Irani exchanged barbs with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi amid protests over IIT Madras' ban on a discussion forum of its students which was critical of the Narendra Modi Government.
The issue has ignited a political storm with Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi slamming the ban.
"IIT student group banned for criticizing Modi Government. What next?," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
"Free speech is our right. We will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate," he wrote.
Replying to Rahul Gandhi's criticisms, Irani tweeted: "@OfficeofRG yesterday u told NSUI to create disorder where there is order. Today ur goons come to my house as I'm away at work."
Blaming him behind the protests, she wrote: "@OfficeofRG tell ur men strong arm tactics were tried in Amethi n didn't scare me during Lok Sabha elections. They won't scare me now."
Irani said she is ready to debate with the Gandhi scion over governance and education matters.
"@OfficeofRG give me a time n place n I'm ready to debate everything re governance including education," she wrote.
"@OfficeofRG next time fight ur battles ur self don't hide behind NSUI. N by d way I'm b returning to Amethi soon. See you there," the minister added.
Earlier in the day, Irani said the group did not follow proper procedure.
She also denied any role in the ban.
"IIT Madras is an autonomous institution which takes its own steps. The students group did not follow proper rules," she said.
In a controversial move, IIT Madras has banned a discussion forum for its students which was critical of the Narendra Modi Government.
Reports said the step has been taken at the instruction of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry.
The Ambedkar Periyar Student Circle at IIT-Madras was banned from holding the event after the HRD Ministry received an 'anonymous' complaint against the event.
Following the steps, Congress' student activists protested outside Irani's home in Delhi and accused her of bullying academic institutions.
The Dean of the university said that the group was banned as they misused the institute's name and it has not curtailed anyone's freedom of expression.
"Students should follow guidelines prepared by board of students. IIT madras doesn't curtail freedom of expression. They should adhere to guidelines. They can't use name of IIT Madras in any capacity to publicise their activities without official permission. This group violated guidelines," the Dean said.
This comes after the Union Human Resource Development Ministry, in a letter to the IIT-Madras director on May 15, stated that "anonymous letter alleging serious complaints received from students."
What was enclosed as "evidence" was a pamphlet of the study circle highlighting a speech by academician R Vivekananda Gopal criticising the Modi government.
It is has been alleged that the forum tried to mobilise students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes against Modi government's policies propagating Hindi and banning cow slaughter.
The anonymous letter to the government, signed "Students, IIT Madras" alleged that the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle is "creating hatred among students in the name of caste" and also trying to "create hatred against the honourable Prime Minister and Hindus."
Denying the allegation of inciting protests the students' group says it was never given a chance to respond.
"We have not violated the Constitution. The Constitution allows us to criticize the government and its policies. But the IIT administration is trying to stifle democratic forces," media reports quoted a member of the study circle as saying.
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