File photo of IIT-Madras campus
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras has reinstated a students' group whose de-recognition had sparked a major controversy.
The Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC), a group of around 20 students, was de-recognised on May 29 following an anonymous complaint to the central government, accusing it of trying to "spread hatred" towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi through provocative pamphlets and posters.
"APSC derecognition was not a mistake... this kind of action and revocation happens in many Indian institutions," said IIT-Madras Director, Baskar Ramamoorthi, defending the institute's action against the students' group.
Students can criticise the Prime Minister or the Government. That was never an issue. We've no policy on what can be said and what can't," Mr Baskar added.
The group will now have access to the auditorium, email and notice boards of the institution.
"This is the victory of strong democratic students' movement and democratic forces which stood for freedom of expression across the country," said S Abhinav, a member of APSC.
The de-recognition of the students' group had triggered widespread criticism across the country, with regional parties in Tamil Nadu expressing concern over "threats" to freedom of expression.
HRD Minister Smriti Irani had emphatically denied any role in the ban on the students' group, saying "IIT Madras is an autonomous institution which takes its own steps."