IIT-Madras row: DMK's Kanimozhi attacks suspension of student body, saying it is objectionable, unfair & unsustainable

CHENNAI: IIT Madras is not only attracting political parties that want to speak up for a suspended student body on their campus, but the campus is also becoming a platform that is showcasing the changed in approach to issues by the two Dravidian majors that have ruled Tamil Nadu – the DMK and the AIADMK. While the DMK has jumped into the fray with a double-barrel attack, the AIADMK says it has shunned the idea of agitations and will take the issue in a ‘systematic manner’.

DMK president M Karunanidhi on Sunday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “direct intervention” for revocation of the order and to restore “peace” on the (IIT) campus.

He indirectly hit out against the Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani for her “authoritarian” interference that allegedly led to de-recognition of a students’ body at IIT Madras.



Rajya Sabha MP and DMK’s womens wing leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, a face of the generation next of her party, however, decided to write an open letter to the Director of the premier technology insititute. “I find the decision of IIT Madras to de-recognise the APSC (Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle) to be objectionable, unfair and unsustainable,’’ Kanimozhi wrote in her letter.

Meanwhile the other major Dravidian party – the ruling AIADMK —preferred to remain silent on the issue. Although the party officially says it is watching the situation, when an issue like this has erupted in the past and the DMK has taken the lead, the rival has not been far behind.

“We do not want to politicise it. We are for student democracy. We are for freedom of expression. We are for students getting enlightened and empowered. We will raise it only at approprirate forum,’’ said Rabi Beranard, spokesperson of the AIADMK.

When asked why the party was quiet when their rivals had picked up the issue on behalf of the students, he said, “We are not quiet. We will take it up and we will find a permanent solution. There must be a systematic approach not an ad hoc one. In our party representatives’ next visit to the capital, we will raise the issue with the Union HRD Minister,’’ Rabi Bernard added.

Experts do agree that the AIADMK is taking a different approach but add that currently the party does not have many options. “It may be due to political compulsions that the AIADMK is remaining quiet. It could also be because at this time they do not want to get into any sort of controversy,’’ said N Sathiyamoorthy of Observer Research Foundation.