National ST Commission orders enquiry into TISS fund cuts

Responding to a complaint filed by students at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has ordered an enquiry in to the issue of fund cuts at the institute.  In a letter dated March 27, the commission has summoned officials at the institute along with a student representative for a hearing on the issue at its headquarters in New Delhi on April 12.

The Commission is also likely to take similar cognizance of issues faced by students from the institute. Students had written to the commissions on February 28. 

In its letter, the commission has asked the institute to bring all the relevant documents and records on the issue for the hearing. 

On Wednesday, protesting student representatives met the Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar and submitted a memorandum of demands. “We have submitted a set of demands and also briefed the minister on the issues that we are facing at the institute. We hope that the ministry takes some decision in this regard,” said Fahad Ahmed, General Secretary, TISS student union. 

Ahmed added, “The fact that the Scheduled Tribe Commission has taken cognizance of the issue means a lot to us. If students from ST/SC backgrounds do not get fellowships, the reservation policy of the institute will go for a toss.” The students continued their protest as the strike entered its 43rd day.