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print versionBinoy Viswam
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
Mob: 96057667022 E-mail: binoyviswam55[at]gmail.com
To
Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Minister of Education Government of India
Respected Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ji,
116, North Avenue New Delhi - 110 001
Date: 23.05.2021
In yet another attack on the academic freedom of teachers and students, Dr. Gilbert Sebastian, an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations and Politics, Central University of Kerala, was suspended for comments made against the Central Government during a lecture.
It is deeply worrying that the freedom of speech and thought is being curtailed in such a manner, especially within the walls of an education institution. The purpose of education is to help students think critically and question their realties in order to become conscientious and productive members of society. Debate, dissent and intellectual production is the hallmark of university spaces. To persecute free thought and expression in these spaces is to signal the death of the institution. It is also pertinent to observe that the persecution of people for espousing a view that may not find approval from the Government is a distinctive feature of proto-fascist regimes, the subject of Dr. Sebastian’s lecture.
Given these circumstances, I urge you to revoke the suspension of Dr. Gilbert Sebastian and ensure that no coercive action is taken against him. Further, I hope that the Ministry of Education will take all measures to ensure that Universities remain spaces for critical thinking, free speech and knowledge production
Yours sincerely
Binoy Viswam
Leader of CPI Parliamentary Party & Secretary, National Council
