Let opinions flow, grouses included

IIT-KGP has initiated disciplinary proceedings against its teachers' association for not responding to a show-cause notice after the latter wrote to the union education minister alleging nepotism and unfair recruitment practices. Citing academic commitments, the teachers had requested an extension, which the authorities refused. Instead, proceedings against them were started. On the face of it, this looks like yet another low-level wrangle in India's higher education system. But beyond the banal, this IIT faceoff is symptomatic of a growing command-control atmosphere where open exchange of ideas-and grouses-are shut down, when the opposite should be the case to foster a spirit of intellectual freedom without fear of reprisal.

Already, the real issue-of perceived nepotism, etc. -has been eclipsed by action reportedly taken against airing it. For India's premier sites of knowledge dissemination to function without constantly looking over its shoulder, petty battles must give way to free flow of intellectual traffic. TISS-Mumbai is another example of missing the wood for the trees. Earlier this year, TISS banned a left-wing students' group and introduced a clause in its 'honour code' requiring students to pledge against participating in political activities, 'anti-establishment' demonstrations and 'unpatriotic discussions.' We don't live in a soviet system. Yet.

The world over, institutes of higher education have also been laboratories for dissent. That is the nature of the beast of the spirit of youthful enquiry and critical thinking. Turning out automatons shouldn't be the 'project objective'. Innovation and genuine breakthroughs are born out of the same boiling vat as free-thinking, grouses and complaints included.