The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, faced controversy on Thursday after it decided to drop several academicians and experts scheduled to speak at an event marking the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The move came after protests by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which raised objections to the “presence of members affiliated with the ‘tukde tukde gang’.”
A statement from the institute explained that the decision was made to “avoid controversy.” IISER Pune had planned a series of events under the Muktiparv programme to commemorate Ambedkar Jayanti, with invited speakers such as Deepali Salve, Nazima Parveen, and Smita M Patil, who were to discuss topics related to caste, economics, and gender.
The IISER statement further clarified that the organisers, including students and faculty mentors, had followed due processes to ensure the event would not propagate any objectionable content. However, after concerns were raised, the institute opted not to host the external speakers to avoid potential issues.
The ABVP, a student wing affiliated with the RSS, strongly opposed the inclusion of certain speakers, claiming that some of them were associated with “staunch Maoist” ideologies. They argued that their participation could potentially lead to law and order problems and divide society along religious lines.
An ABVP press release also criticized the publishers involved in the event, accusing them of promoting books with extreme leftist views. The group questioned why the institute allowed individuals linked to the “tukde tukde gang” to participate in a programme dedicated to Dr. Ambedkar, considering Ambedkar’s historical opposition to left-wing ideologies.
The ABVP’s protest was led by Atharva Kulkarni, Pradesh Mantri for Western Maharashtra, who met with the Director of IISER, Sunil Bhagwat, to voice the organisation’s concerns.
Despite the protests, the IISER statement reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the values of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and said that the institution remains dedicated to celebrating his legacy, both during Ambedkar Jayanti and throughout the year.
