Guest 'purge' at IISER event as ABVP flags 'Maoist ideas'

PUNE: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune on Friday cancelled participation of external speakers for an event this weekend ahead of Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14 after ABVP wrote to police claiming individuals who support "anti-national Maoist ideas" could cause law and order problems, reports Ardhra Nair.

The session with external speakers was to be part of Muktiparva Festival, an ongoing annual fest at the govt-run institute to celebrate works of Ambedkar and other social reformers. ABVP's letter to cops expressed concerns about the possibility of "separatist, religious, and casteist comments" being made during the event to "create divisions in society". The student wing of RSS also accused the organisers of inviting individuals with alleged ties to "Tukde Tukde gang".

In a statement, IISER Pune said it cancelled participation of external speakers to "avoid controversy". "Talks were planned at the institute by external speakers who are academicians and experts in social equality and caste and gender dynamics... The institute remains committed to upholding the ideals set forth by Babasaheb Ambedkar as we observe Ambedkar Jayanti this weekend and throughout the year," the statement added.