 Summary of this article
- Once known for its vibrant culture of student activism and critical engagement, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has seen increasing administrative crackdowns on protests and political expression, raising fears of shrinking academic freedom.
- Recent actions at the institute reflect a tougher stance against activism and dissent within the campus.
- Students and observers view the developments as part of a nationwide pattern of curbing dissent in universities, with the new TISS administration accused of reshaping the institution’s democratic ethos and discouraging critical thought among young scholars.
Once hailed as a cradle of critical thought and student-led resistance, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai now finds itself at the centre of a growing storm over academic freedom and political dissent.
Ten students were booked by Mumbai Police in October 2025 for commemorating the death anniversary of activist and former professor G.N. Saibaba. It marked the latest flashpoint in a broader conflict between institutional control and the right to dissent within India's higher education system. This shift has raised concerns about the erosion of academic freedom and democratic values within one of India's premier social science institutions.
The ten students were booked for organising an unauthorized event on campus to commemorate the first death anniversary of former Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba.
Historically, TISS has been a bastion of student activism, with its campus serving as a platform for discussions on social justice, human rights, and governmental policies. Students have actively participated in national movements, including those against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The institute's commitment to social equity and critical inquiry has been central to its identity.
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Recent Crackdowns: A Shift In Administrative Approach
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the administration's approach towards student activism. Instances of students facing disciplinary actions for participating in protests have become more frequent, raising questions about the institution's stance on academic freedom.
Days before the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The institute authorities cautioned students against holding any protest on its campus against the ceremony and warned them of action by law-enforcement agencies.
One of the most prominent cases involves Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, a Dalit Ph.D. scholar in Development Studies. In April 2024, Sivanandan was suspended for two years and barred from entering all TISS campuses. The administration cited "repetitive misconduct" related to his participation in protests, including a demonstration outside the Indian Parliament organised by the Progressive Students Forum (PSF)-TISS. The protest was against the National Education Policy (NEP) and was perceived by the administration as a misuse of the institute's name.
In March 2025, the Bombay High Court upheld the suspension, stating that there was no “illegality” or “perversity” in the decision. However, in May 2025, the Supreme Court ordered TISS to reinstate Sivanandan, highlighting concerns over the suppression of dissent and the protection of academic freedoms.
On the latest incident related to G.N. Saibaba, The All-India Professionals’ Congress (AIPC) termed the development “absolutely appalling,” pointing out that Professor G.N. Saibaba, whose death anniversary the students were marking, had been acquitted twice by the Bombay High Court. “It is shocking that students can now be arrested for holding peaceful protests in support of activists and dissidents, apparently at the prodding of online trolls,” AIPC said.
The All India Student Association highlighted that TISS administration feared the ideas of justice against oppression that GN Saibaba represented. "AISA vehemently condemns this repression. The state once again displays, its aversion to dissent, especially when it comes to students. Democracy cannot survive when students are treated as criminals and intellectual activity is policed.
AISA stands in solidarity with the students of TISS and demands the immediate withdrawal of all FIRs and charges filed against the organiser students," it said in a statement.
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