Hyderabad, 8 August
IIT Delhi Event: Students Reportedly Told How to Bow as PM Modi Presents Medals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented medals and awards to graduating students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi on Saturday, August 8, but the event has drawn criticism over reported restrictions and instructions issued to students during the ceremony.
According to a report by The Telegraph, students were reportedly given specific instructions on how low they should bow their heads while receiving medals. They were also reportedly asked to stand during Vedic chants held as part of the ceremony.
The reported instructions and security arrangements have sparked debate over the conduct of the graduation event at the premier educational institution.
IIT Delhi Students Face Strict Security Measures
According to the report, students’ bags were repeatedly checked by security personnel in the days leading up to the event.
Water bottles were reportedly prohibited inside the hall where the graduation ceremony was held. Circulars were also issued detailing restrictions on the use of certain campus facilities and the movement of vehicles on Saturday.
Police personnel, metal detectors and barricades were deployed around the IIT Delhi campus as part of the security arrangements for the Prime Minister’s visit.
Nearly 3,000 students received their degrees during the ceremony. However, Prime Minister Modi personally felicitated only nine meritorious students.
The report also stated that the degree distribution programme, which is usually held during the first half of the ceremony, was moved to the second half after the felicitation programme was given priority.
Owaisi Questions Constitutional Values
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the reported arrangements and questioned whether they were consistent with the constitutional values expected to be upheld by students and educational institutions.
Owaisi referred to Article 51A(H) of the Constitution, which calls for the development of a scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
He also referred to Article 28, which deals with religious instruction in educational institutions wholly maintained out of state funds.
Owaisi alleged that the reported events undermined these constitutional principles and urged students to speak up against what he described as such incidents in the interest of the country.
Debate Over IIT Delhi Graduation Ceremony
The reported instructions regarding student conduct, along with the extensive security arrangements, have led to questions over the manner in which the Prime Minister’s visit was organised at IIT Delhi.
However, the claims regarding the specific instructions given to students and the circumstances surrounding the Vedic chants are based on media reports and political criticism. Further clarification from IIT Delhi or the authorities would be required to establish the full context of the arrangements.
The controversy comes as political and public debate continues over the role of religious practices and constitutional values in publicly funded educational institutions.