Madras university circular irks section of profs

CHENNAI: The registrar of Madras University has issued a circular instructing all heads of departments and faculties to get prior approval from him for conducting any seminar, conference, workshop or any other programme on the university premises.

The circular, dated November 23, has not gone down well among a section of professors, who say that this is a move to curb their academic freedom, which is unwarranted as a university should be open for public debate and exchange of ideas.

"The circular states that this is an instruction by the authorities. As far as the university is concerned, the authorities are the syndicate, senate and academic council. But no such resolution has been passed in these bodies. This circular is illegal," said G Ravindran, general secretary of Madras University Teachers Association (MUTA) and head of the journalism department. Observers say that the decision was prompted by two specific incidents. Last week, around 30 students of the journalism department had conducted a programme protesting against the new education policy of the Centre using traditional music instruments. Some professors reportedly complained to the registrar that the drumbeats had disturbed their classes.

Secondly, a conference hosted by the university around two weeks ago had invited foreign experts without the necessary clearances from central intelligence agencies. Sources indicated that higher-ups in the education department were questioned by the Central government regarding the event. The circular was issued to avoid a repeat of such an incident, the sources added. Another professor recalled the delay in getting permission for a seminar in the aftermath of the Rohit Vemula suicide last year and said that such a circular would allow the authorities to curb voices of dissent in the university.

The registrar David Jawahar told TOI that there was no specific reason for the circular. "We need to make sure that in case of any political event, we get police protection if there is any agitation. In case of certain functions, there is a protocol involved where the governor has to be invited," he said.