IIT Bombay for Justice, an informal student collective at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, has accused the institute’s administration of obstructing a silent gathering organized to remember Palestinian children killed in bombings.
The incident occurred on Children’s Day, November 14, when around 50 participants, including students and faculty members, gathered near the School of Management (SOM) building on campus.
The student collective claimed that campus security officials aggressively ordered the group to disperse and confiscated stationery items brought for poster making, citing a lack of prior approval.
In a statement released on Thursday, the student collective asserted that holding a peaceful silent gathering to mourn the death of Palestinian children was their fundamental right.
They alleged that a significant number of security staff and police were present at the event, and the institute’s high-handedness was uncalled for. The institute’s administration has not commented on the statement.
The incident follows the release of guidelines by IIT Bombay for organizing events and protests on campus. According to the guidelines, participants are required to obtain prior permission from the institute and local police for any form of protests, including protest marches or gatherings.
The students, however, maintained that the administration’s interference was unnecessary and emphasized their right to engage in a peaceful demonstration. The incident highlights the ongoing debate about freedom of expression and the rights of students to engage in peaceful protests on college campuses.
