‘Repression, Not Reform’: TISS Hyderabad students condemn new campus guidelines; UGC code violation alleged

Student organisations at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Hyderabad, have issued a joint statement condemning the campus conduct guidelines released by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). The Ambedkarite Students’ Association (ASA) and Progressive Students’ Forum (PSF) alleged that the guidelines violate the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Student Entitlement Code and curtail students’ rights to political engagement and dissent.

According to the student groups, the new guidelines formalise restrictions first imposed through a January 2024 circular that suspended all student activities and unions across TISS campuses. Rather than reversing these measures, the organisations claim the new code institutionalises “repression and surveillance” of student participation in campus affairs.

“The campus code of conduct, instead of lifting the arbitrary ban on student activities, merely institutionalises the ongoing repression and surveillance of student voices,” the official statement said.

Multi-tiered event approval process questioned

The statement also criticised the event approval process introduced under the new code, which requires multiple layers of scrutiny from Chairpersons, Faculty Coordinators, and the OSA. The student bodies said this centralisation of control was designed to suppress independent collectives, particularly those with political views.

ASA and PSF highlighted a clause allowing the OSA to prohibit events it deems “not in the interest of the community,” arguing that this could be used to disallow any event that is confrontational or political. The student bodies said the guideline lacks transparency and give discretionary powers to the administration without clear definitions or accountability.

The students' association further objected to restrictions on the circulation of posters, pamphlets, and messages by unrecognised individuals or groups, calling it an attempt to prevent independent organising and communication. According to the statement, these measures would reduce campus public life to an “administration-approved” space, restricting student politics.

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Social media policy criticised for overreach

The social media policy included in the guidelines is also challenged. The student groups said it overreaches by covering public and private platforms and imposes prohibitions against “defamatory content” and “misuse of the university’s name” without defining terms. The policy also directs that complaints should be raised only through institutional mechanisms. ASA and PSF argued that this removes students’ ability to raise grievances independently, especially on issues involving the administration itself.

“By stating that 'complaints must be raised through official grievance mechanisms, not on social media,' the administration is reinforcing a system where students have no genuine independent avenue to express their grievances but only a process controlled by the very administration they are seeking to hold accountable,” the official statement said.

New guidelines likened to withdrawn ‘honour code’

In 2024, the administration withdrew an “honour code” clause that barred students from engaging in political or anti-establishment discussions. ASA and PSF claim the new guidelines serve the same purpose through bureaucratic control and procedural barriers, with the same chilling effect on political expression.

The student organisations also questioned the timing of the release, alleging that issuing the guidelines just as the new batch joins campus stigmatises student groups and deters participation. The statement concluded by urging the TISS community to collectively oppose the implementation of the guidelines and to uphold the democratic rights of students.