Outrage at IISER as Students Protest Cancellation of Ambedkar Event
Key Highlights:
PUNE, April 14, 2025 — The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, has come under fire after administrators abruptly cancelled a scheduled event centered on the life and philosophy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The event was to coincide with Ambedkar Jayanti, observed on April 14 to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s foremost social reformer and the principal architect of the Constitution.
The cancellation has sparked mass outrage among students, with several of them staging demonstrations on campus and demanding answers from the administration. According to organizers, the event was meant to feature student presentations, a documentary screening, and a panel discussion on Ambedkar’s legacy in science, education, and social justice.
No Official Explanation Offered
As of now, the IISER administration has not provided any formal reason for cancelling the program. Students allege that the move is a deliberate attempt to suppress discussions around caste and social equality, which Ambedkar championed.
One student protestor stated, “It’s not just an event. It’s about acknowledging the historical role Ambedkar played in shaping India’s vision of justice and equality. Why is that threatening?”
Growing National Attention and Support
The controversy has now gone beyond IISER. Student unions from universities across the country, including JNU, DU, and TISS, have voiced solidarity with IISER students and criticized the incident as part of a “growing trend of silencing critical thought.”
Several academics and public intellectuals also took to social media to express concern. Historian Ramachandra Guha tweeted, “Cancelling an Ambedkar event on his birth anniversary is deeply regressive. Institutions should uphold the spirit of inquiry, not fear it.”
Ambedkar’s Enduring Legacy and the Importance of Dialogue
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a jurist, economist, and social reformer, remains one of the most important figures in Indian history. His emphasis on education as a means of social liberation is especially significant in academic spaces like IISER.
By cancelling the event, critics argue, IISER has contradicted the very values of inclusion and dialogue that Ambedkar stood for.
Call for Accountability and Reinstatement
Student representatives are now demanding that the event be rescheduled and reinstated, and have called on the institute to issue a formal apology. They argue that educational institutions must be safe spaces for critical conversations — especially on topics as foundational as Ambedkar’s contributions to Indian democracy.
As India marks Ambedkar Jayanti, the IISER episode serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges to academic freedom and the need to safeguard spaces of discussion and dissent.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald
