IIT Madras students allege pressure to remove protest video, campus gathering denied

A student body at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has alleged that the institute administration asked it to remove an Instagram video expressing solidarity with students protesting over alleged examination irregularities and denied permission to organise a peaceful gathering on campus, triggering fresh concerns over freedom of expression within educational institutions.

The allegations were made by ChintaBAR, a recognised independent student body at IIT Madras, which said it had sought permission on July 20 to hold a peaceful gathering in support of students affected by repeated examination cancellations, paper leaks and re-tests, including those linked to NEET-UG and UGC-NET.

According to the student group, the proposed event was intended to be peaceful and would not have disrupted academic activities.

ChintaBAR alleged that during a meeting with the Dean of Students, institute officials directed it to remove an Instagram video posted on July 17 in support of the ongoing student protests in Delhi.

The group further claimed that permission for the campus gathering was denied on the grounds that such an event could affect the institute's relationship with the Central government and tarnish IIT Madras' image.

According to the student body, it subsequently removed the Instagram video after informing fellow students through WhatsApp groups about the reasons behind the decision.

The deleted video reportedly featured students holding placards highlighting concerns over paper leaks and examination irregularities.

The controversy comes amid nationwide protests over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leak, and follows demonstrations at several educational institutions expressing solidarity with students participating in protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

The allegations have also surfaced days after IIT Roorkee clarified that an advisory circulated among students regarding social media conduct was part of its routine annual communication and not a new directive, following criticism over perceived restrictions on online expression related to the ongoing protests.