IIT-M row: SC panel summons HRD secretary, IIT director

The National Scheduled Castes Commission (NCSC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Union Human Resource Development secretary and IIT-Madras director, asking them to appear before it on June 8, amid a political row over de-recognition of a students' body comprising mostly <g data-gr-id="26">dalits</g>.

In the midst of bitter face-off, IIT-Madras authorities held talks with the students' group, Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle (APSC), to end the confrontation that has left the campus in turmoil and decided to convene a meeting of its Board of Students later this week or early next week to discuss the controversial de-recognition.

The NCSC notice came after IIT-M defended its action against APSC in response to a notice sent by the panel in which the institute said there was no curtailment of "freedom of speech" or imposition of ban on any student organisation.

It claimed the registration of student organisation was "withheld temporarily" as it had issued pamphlets and put up posters publicly with the name of IIT-Madras, in violation of the norms.

The Commission had taken <g data-gr-id="22">suo</g> <g data-gr-id="23">motu</g> cognisance of the de-recognition of the student body last week for allegedly violating the institute's code of conduct following a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We have issued notices to the Union HRD Secretary and IIT-M Director calling them for a discussion on the case on June 8. The notices were issued today," NCSC sources said.

Meanwhile, IIT-M authorities met representatives of the APSC in Chennai for an amicable end to the tussle.