The ban imposed on Progressive Students Forum (PSF), an organisation working for students in Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS') on August 19, has been finally withdrawn. Taking note of the protest by the students, the administration finally reversed the decision of the ban by revising the democratic honour code.
According to the guidelines of the University Grants Commission, the Progressive Students Forum is a student organisation functioning in TISS, Mumbai. This organisation fights for the interests and rights of students. The organisation had called a protest against the beating of students by seniors in TISS. Therefore, the TISS administration had decided to ban this student organisation on August 19.
After the ban on PSF, all the students, alumni, teachers and student unions of TISS called for protest. Also, the Central Executive Committee of the Students Federation of India held a nationwide protest against the ban.
Students across the country united against it. At the same time, former Vice-Chancellors, professors, officials of UGC, eminent professors, teachers' associations across the country, scientists and artists, TISS teachers' association, alumni, associations, Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, Center of Indian Trade Unions supported the movement.
As the agitation intensified, MPs Dr John Britas and Dr V Shivdasan intervened and took the issue to the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Many MPs from Maharashtra raised this issue in Parliament.
Due to the solidarity of the students, the administration had to withdraw the ban. By banning PSF, the university wanted to create communalism and political polarisation in the campus of TISS, but due to the solidarity shown by the students, the administration had to withdraw the ban, PSF said.
While revising the honour code, the university campus will provide space for open discussion and debate. There will be a platform for students to express their views without any fear.
With this new honour code reform, students at TISS will have the opportunity to express themselves freely. The students' agitation forced the administration to revise the honour code. This victory is considered as a big victory for students across the country.
From infrastructural problems to attacks on students, there are many problems in TISS. The PSF said that a concrete decision will be taken to resolve various issues like fee instalment facility for SC-ST students, hostel capacity and lack of lectures for students.
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