IIT-Bombay bans 'anti-national' activities on Powai campus

Mumbai, Jan 29 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) has banned what it terms "anti-national activites" and all types of activism on its Powai Campus and also sought "good manners" from its students.Students at the IIT-Bombay campus were stunned to receive the 15-point circular from the authorities which some have labeled as "restrictions" on their freedom and rights.The directive No. 10 has virtually spooked the students: "Residents shall not participate in any anti-national, anti-social and/or any other undesirable activities."When contacted, an IIT-Bombay spokesperson said the circular was sent by the Associate Dean (Student Affairs), and "these are not new rules, but were in the statutes".Incidentally, three weeks ago, IIT-Bombay had frowned at the personal statements made by some people as attributed to it, and reiterated that it was a non-political institution.It has also dissociated itself from an active group called "IIT-Bombay for Justice" saying it is not an officially recognized body.
--IANS qn/prs