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A victory for the freedom of expression in intellectual spaces came in the form of the withdrawal of conduct rules imposed by the government on one of the premiere institutions of the country, Jawarharlal Nehru Univerisity (JNU).
The University Grants Commission sent a notification to central universities in the month of May 2018, stating that the Central Civil Services (CCS) Conduct Rules of 1964, that apply to government employees would now officially apply to academics and teaching staff of central universities and educational institutions funded by the government as well. The mandate states that those under the purview of this rule cannot “make any statement of fact or opinion which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy of the central government or a state government.”
Under the law, teachers will not be allowed to strike, criticise the administration, speak to the media or even publish material without prior permission. They will also not be allowed to be part of associations whose “objects or activities are prejudicial to the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, public order and morality”. The rule also gives the power of dismissal to the authorities against those who fail to follow the guidelines.
Though the order was sent out earlier this year, it gained popularity after Jawaharlal Nehru University, a space popularly known for its active political voice of dissent officially enforced these rules. The move was made on the October 5th 2018, in the 147th academic counsel meeting overlooked by Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar. The JNU Teacher’s Associations released a statement against the order, stating that they were given no prior time or consideration to assess the rules and that it was passed in a haphazard manner.
Ranjani Mazumdar, a professor at the School of Arts and Aesthetics (SAA) in JNU tells the wire “Under these rules, economics professors can be punished for discussing economic policy; political scientists can be punished for discussing politics; environmental science professors can be punished for discussing environmental policy; scientists can be punished for discussing government science policy etc. All educationists can be punished for expressing their views on educational policy.” She believes that the essential role of academics in the classroom and civil society has been criminalised.
After much protest from combined efforts of both the students and teachers of the institution, the Vice Chancellor sent out a statement that the rules have not been formally integrated into the ordinances of the institution. Instead, the Executive Council of the university, on the 23rd of October 2018, decided to formulate its own codes of conduct. Though a definite win for academic freedom, we still have some way to go. Ayesha Kidwai, a professor of JNU told News Click, “Battle is far from over on this matter, and must go on until the UGC letter is withdrawn. These rules have come into force in many Central Universities and we must all fight to ensure they are disallowed from every university.”
Feature Image Courtesy: edexlive.com
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