Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
In a first sign of resolving the ongoing crisis at the IIT-Madras, student members of the derecognised Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle (APSC) would meet the institute's Director Professor Baskar Ramamoorthy who has returned from his overseas trip.
Akil, one of the student members of APSC said "We have been invited and around five of us would meet the Director".
However the standoff continues on the conduct of the board of students convened by the management to sort this issue. APSC has refused to participate in it to present its views. "We first want an unconditional re-recognition of APSC. Only then we would participate in talks and present our views and discuss other demands," added Akil.
The board of students comprises of all elected student leaders and Deans. The institute says APSC had violated guidelines by using the name of IIT-Madras in its publicity. However students claim they've been targeted for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's policies.
Following derecognition the APSC is not allowed to use the auditorium, official email and even the notice board.
The crisis has struck a chord with student communities and political parties across the country. Over the last week police detained several hundred protesters from the DMK, VCK and other outfits that demand reinstatement of APSC.
Among other demands APSC wants equal space and access for all student associations in IIT-Madras. "There's a strong right wing patronage by the management. There are a few pro-Hindutva associations like the Vivekananda Circle which do not face any trouble at all," said S Abhinav, a member of APSC.