IIT row: Unparliamentary words should not be used against PM, says HD Deve Gowda

BENGALURU: As controversy raged over derecognition of a students group at IIT Madras, former Prime Minister and JD-S chief HD Deve Gowda today said everybody has the right to freedom of expression and speech but no unparliamentary words should be used against the Prime Minister.

"I don't think it is proper ... you can't restrict anybody's fundamental right of expression and speech. If any unparliamentary words if anybody uses, I am sorry ... I have never used unparliamentary language against anyone ... from very beginning - from my MLA days," Gowda told reporters.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, was at the centre of a row after the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle (APSC) was derecognised on a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi

In Delhi, Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani backed IIT's action, saying the institution has clearly stated that some procedures by the students' organisation were not followed and it knew that Dean will derecognise it for violating norms.

NSUI workers today held a protest outside Irani's official residence in Delhi over the issue.