More than 500 scientists, academicians and students have written to the Bengaluru-based IISc expressing dismay over the cancellation of a discussion on anti-terror law UAPA that was to be led by student activists Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita.
Student activists Asif Iqbal Tanha, Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal outside Tihar jail after a court ordered their immediate release in the north-east Delhi riots conspiracy case, in New Delhi, June 17, 2021. Photograph: Kamal Singh/PTI Photo
In their letter, they said “regardless of one’s perspective, such discussions are crucial in a functioning democracy”, and the move has damaged the institution’s reputation globally.
Besides students and academicians in the country, the signatories to the letter included some from foreign institutions such as Michigan State University, University of California, Cornell University, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, Seoul National University and Princeton University.
The letter, however, clarifies that the institutional affiliations have been provided only for purposes of identification and the signatories do not reflect the views of these institutes. More than 100 signatories are students and postdoctoral fellows….
After the truth-shower 