Protest in Punjab against de-recognition of APSC by IIT-Madras

PHAGWARA: Activists of ' Punjab Ambedkar Sena Mool Nivasi' today held demonstrations here against the derecognition of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle ( APSC) by IIT-Madras for alleged violation of code of conduct.

Led by the outfit's state President Harbhajan Suman, the protesters held a march form Ambedkar Park in Hargobindnagar locality here and burnt the effigy of Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani at the national highway, demanding restoration of the student's body's recognition immediately.

Addressing the protesters, Suman said that Ambedkar and Periyar were Dalit icons and raising a voice against Modi-led NDA government was not a crime.

"Dr Ambedkar has given us the Fundamental Right to freedom of speech in the Constitution. To ban a Dalit students' body just because it criticised Modi government's policies amounted to stifling voice of dissent, throttling democracy and gagging freedom of expression," he said.

BJP government at the Centre got "rattled" just by the statements of a students' body because it had become "arrogant" and was bent upon implementing the "hidden agenda" of RSS, Suman said.

They demanded that student's body's recognition should be restored immediately.

IIT-M is in the eye of a political storm over the derecognition of APSC for allegedly criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Union HRD Minster Smriti Irani has also come under fire from political parties like Congress and students' bodies for the action against the student body.