TISS ‘honour code’ for students: ‘Won’t participate in political, anti-establishment, unpatriotic discussions, dharnas’ | Mumbai News – Times of India

MUMBAI: A pledge that is part of an ‘honour code’ signed by students at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) this year states that “I would not indulge in any political, anti-establishment, unpatriotic discussions, demonstrations, dharna or any form of activities that disturb the academic environment of the institute. I understand that any infringements would attract strict action against me’.While the honour code has been in existence at the university for some time, the changes this year have raised some eyebrows on the campus.
The university has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, starting with the the unofficial screening of a banned BBC movie last Jan, to the recent ban on a student collective, Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF), which the institute claimed was ‘unauthorised’ and ‘illegal’. PSF has been active on the campus for 12 years.

With the signing of the new Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) early this year, the university, known for its contribution towards social work education, was brought under the ambit of the union ministry of education. The university was earlier managed by the Tata Trusts, which had its nominee as chairperson of the board. With the new MoA, the institute is now governed by the TISS Society, chaired by the union education minister. This was after the Central govt’s decision to bring all institutions that receive over 50% grants from the Centre under its jurisdiction. TISS was one of them.
In April this year, Ramadas K S, the former general secretary of PSF, was suspended for two years for participating in ‘unlawful’ and ‘anti-national’ activities.
While his suspension matter is in the court, a TISS student said the revision in the honour code this year could be following this development. “How can an institute’s honour code precede constitutional rights?” asked the student, adding the institute has been making these norms stringent every year. He said the validity of this code should be challenged too. This year’s code mentioned that ‘the undertaking is legally binding’. It also mentioned that violation of the code could lead even to expulsion.
Speaking about the honour code, Medha Patkar, a respected alumna of TISS, said bringing students under such bondage will not resolve the conflict between the administration and students’ community but will only worsen the situation.
“Students and alumni should appeal to the administration for more dialogue. The code that students have been asked to sign is also against the basic constitutional rights. TISS alumni are known for their work in peace and non-violent work in society. They can act as mediators between the institute and students too,” she said.