IISER drops speakers from program amid ABVP protest alleging ‘tukde tukde gang’

The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune cancelled invitations to several guest speakers for an event commemorating BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary after protests from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), according to a report by The Indian Express.

The student group, which is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party—objected to the inclusion of individuals they claimed were associated with what they referred to as the "tukde tukde gang," a term often used by BJP-aligned groups to describe critics and dissenters they believe are attempting to divide the country.

In response to the backlash, the institute clarified in a statement that the event, part of a student-led initiative called Muktiparv, had originally included lectures by external speakers who are academicians and experts working in the areas of social equality and caste and gender dynamics.

These speakers, according to the institute, were selected for their academic and professional contributions in those fields.

As reported by The Indian Express, IISER Pune had invited several scholars, including Deepali Salve, Nazima Parveen, and Smita M Patil, to speak on topics related to caste, economics, and gender.

The institute noted that the programme’s organisers had followed appropriate procedures and aimed to ensure that the event did not promote any objectionable views through it, scroll.in reported.

However, the institute stated that it decided to withdraw the invitations to the external speakers in light of the concerns raised, choosing to do so in order to avoid any controversy.

Earlier that day, members of the ABVP had reportedly met with the institute’s director, Sunil Bhagwat, to express their opposition to the inclusion of certain speakers. The student wing of RSS is said to have objected to what they described as the participation of individuals with alleged Maoist affiliations.

According to The Indian Express, the ABVP expressed concern that the invited speakers might make statements that could potentially disrupt public order or create divisions along religious lines.

The group argued that BR Ambedkar had consistently opposed leftist ideologies during his lifetime and questioned why individuals they associated with the so-called “tukde tukde gang” were being invited to speak at an event held in his honour.

The student wing also said that it had also submitted a representation to the Pune Police about the event.

The ABVP also pointed to last year’s Muktiparv event, claiming that some of the remarks made by speakers at the time had offended public sentiments. In addition to voicing their objections to the institute, the group reportedly submitted a formal representation to the Pune Police regarding the programme.