At least 10 students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, were booked on Monday night for allegedly taking part in an event commemorating the death anniversary of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba.
“Students gathered to read a few poems written by Professor GN Saibaba to mark his death anniversary. They gathered in a peaceful manner, read the poems, placed a few candles around a photograph of Professor Saibaba, and dispersed—all in about ten minutes,” a student said.
A senior TISS official, on account of anonymity, told Indian Express, “The event was apparently organized to observe the death anniversary of G.N. Saibaba around 9 p.m. on Sunday. The administration was not aware of the event, as the students had not sought any permission.”
The event then drew attention online when a group of students allegedly opposing the idea tweeted photographs that they took of the gathered students allegedly without consent and tagged the Maharashtra CM and police, the FoEJ Media learned. Following this, the police entered the campus premises around 10pm, questioning both students and admin officials at the late hour.
According to the reports of the Indian Express, sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanita pertaining to “causing prejudice to the nation,” “promoting enmity between groups,” and “unlawful assembly” were invoked.
The laptops and phones of those detained were also confiscated, another student told the news outlet.
“This is just to target students; this is something that should not happen,” a student said while talking to FoEJ Media.
On the night of Sunday, Trombay police questioned a student for hours and eventually detained him on campus premises, FoEJ Media learned.
As reported by the Maktook Media, students also alleged that the Saibaba memorial gathering was targeted by Hindutva-affiliated students on campus.
“They hurled abuses at us and tore photos of Saibaba,” a student told Maktoob Media.
90% disabled Saibaba spent over seven years in jail on accusation of having links with Maoists. He was acquitted by the Bombay High Court and released in March 2024.
