Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi opposes ban on students group at IIT Madras

Lashing out at union ministry of human resource development for banning a group of student at IIT-Madras, member parliament from Patiala Dharamvira Gandhi termed the move as 'unconstitutional' and 'undemocratic'.

Lashing out at union ministry of human resource development for banning a group of student at IIT-Madras, member parliament from Patiala Dharamvira Gandhi termed the move as 'unconstitutional' and 'undemocratic'.

He said it is an as onslaught in the freedom of speech and expression, as enshrined in the constitution.

"Is it a crime to think, express and write against the present government and its Prime Minister". Gandhi questioned.
It should be mentioned the group named Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) was banned after it distributed pamphlets criticizing Central government's policies besides mobilising the minorities against government's policy on the use of Hindi and the ban on beef in Maharashtra.

The students were also alleged for spreading hatred against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gandhi said that the democratic space of an individual and groups has been shrinking in past one year of Modi government."It is a matter of grave concern that the democratic space, may it the field of academics, art, science or culture, is continuously shrinking and perpetually under threat from the fringe saffron forces", Gandhi said.

Expressing solidarity with the student group of IIT Madras, Gandhi called upon all democratic and secular forces to resist such draconian measures being taken by the state to curb freedom of thought and expression in various spheres of life and social -Political activity.

"I challenged the wisdom of HRD ministry that on what basis it has restricted activities of the group, besides appealing President of India Pranab Mukherjee to repeal such decisions", he demanded.