TISS Postpones Convocation, Drops CJI Surya Kant Citing Security Concerns

Amid the controversy over the invitation to the NALSAR convocation, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has now also been dropped from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) convocation ceremony.

For the institute’s 86th convocation, the CJI was earlier invited as the Chief Guest. However, he has now been replaced and Dr. C.S. Pramesh, Director of Tata Memorial Hospital, has been named as the Chief Guest instead.

It is noteworthy that the ceremony, scheduled for 2nd August, was postponed just two days before the event due to possible protests by students and security concerns raised between students and the administration.

Earlier, the presence of the Chief Justice at the convocation of NALSAR Law University in Hyderabad had also triggered widespread outrage. Students of the university had sent an open letter strongly opposing the invitation to Chief Justice Surya Kant for their convocation. The student community opposed his invitation, citing his use of the word ‘cockroach’ while addressing the youth. Following this, the university authorities had to drop the CJI from the list of Chief Guests for the convocation.

The impact of that volatile situation at NALSAR was also evident on the TISS campus, where signs of possible protests were seen among the student community. Citing “unforeseen circumstances”, the TISS authorities postponed the ceremony, stating that the decision was taken in the interest of campus discipline and the safety of students and guests. The authorities also announced financial assistance to compensate the degree recipients who suffered losses in travel and arrangements due to the sudden cancellation of the event.

To avoid unwanted controversy and the fear of protests, the institution has now issued a new invitation card naming Dr. Pramesh as Chief Guest instead of the Chief Justice. The 86th convocation ceremony has now been rescheduled for 22nd August.

The institution’s move has sparked fresh debate across the country’s higher education institutions regarding the differences between the judiciary and the student community.