IIT Roorkee asks students not to ‘embarrass’ its relations with govt. Bars political activity

In a recent statement, IIT Roorkee called the email a routinely issued internal advisory, asking people not to misinterpret it.

File photo of main administrative building of IIT Roorkee | Wikimedia Commons

New Delhi: A screenshot of an email from IIT Roorkee registrar warning students not to “join political discussion or participate in any political activity” has gone viral on social media platforms. Several users on X have termed it a gag order, while the institution claims that the email is merely an annual reminder.

However, the email dated 20 July begins by mentioning the ‘current’ political movement.

“It has been noticed on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, etc. that some of the campus inmates shown their affinity with political movement like the one currently, in public utterance and in public criticism,” reads the email dated 20 July.

IIT Roorkee’s conduct rules mention limitations on employee participation in political activities or media engagement. Its ‘Standing Orders for Students’ feature similar restrictions for students.

“It is engraved in the notified conduct rules that no student or employee will be allowed to join political discussion or participate in any political activity without prior permission or make any statement or opinion in any broadcast/telecast or in any print or electronic media in any public utterance which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the institute and the Central Government,” the email further reads.

In response, some on X compared India with the Banana Republic, while others brought up Article 19 of the Constitution.

“Do you believe Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression, applies to your students as well?… why are students reportedly being discouraged or prevented from exercising that right peacefully?” asked a user named Rajat Jain in a recent post.

In the context of the recent youth protests in Delhi, the rules have prompted some on X to question the limits of IIT Roorkee’s powers.

“Are IITs above fundamental rights?” asked user @finalblur.

‘Routine advisory’

IIT Roorkee has now issued a statement asking people not to misinterpret the advisory.

“The communication is an internal advisory circulated among students, faculty and staff at the commencement of each academic session. Similar advisories are routinely issued every year… and do not constitute any new directive or policy,” said the statement dated 21 July.

Earlier on Monday, the institute posted a separate advisory on X.

“IIT Roorkee is committed to maintaining the distinction between personal expressions and official institutional communications. Any views or content shared by individuals in their personal capacity are their own and should not be interpreted as reflecting the position or endorsement of the Institute. Official communications of IIT Roorkee are issued only through its designated and authorized channels,” reads the tweet.