Stalin welcomes IIT-M's decision to lift ban on student body, says there must be space for debate

Chennai: DMK Treasurer MK Stalin on Monday welcomed the decision of IIT Madras to reinstate the recognition of a student’s body, saying educational institutions should provide space for debate and argument, “even on controversial topics”. [caption id=“attachment_1797837” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  DMK leader MK Stalin. AFP[/caption] “Student groups should have the freedom to express their views within the bounds of the law and the institution’s rules. The youth are our future and we should give them the freedom to debate and explore different points of view,” he said. Stalin had earlier flayed IIT-M for derecognising Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle following a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I welcome the move by IIT Madras to reinstate the recognition of Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle as an independent student body,” he said a statement. On Sunday, IIT-M had reinstated APSC’s recognition, and appointed a professor as its faculty advisor, bringing an end to the more than a week-long standoff. Political parties including DMK, Congress and the Left had slammed the institute over the derecognition episode. PTI