3 weeks ago
IIT Delhi Students Chafe Under Security for Modi Convocation Visit
India's Prime Minister, Mr. Modi, is coming to a big university celebration called a convocation, where students receive their degrees.
The event is at IIT Delhi, a famous engineering college in New Delhi.
Because the leader is very important, many police officers and soldiers have been posted at the school.
Students say the security is so strict that it feels like harassment, with their bags being searched even when they just walk in and out of their hostels.
Everyone entering the venue must leave behind phones, bags, and water bottles, including parents who come to watch.
The schedule was changed around the Prime Minister, so many students get their degrees after he leaves, and some parents may miss seeing their children graduate.
Students were even given instructions on how low to bow their heads when receiving medals from Modi.
Some students think the visit is just for show, to make the government look good to young people after big student protests.
The institute says the rules came from Delhi Police and security agencies.
PM Narendra Modi will attend IIT Delhi's Saturday convocation as chief guest and deliver an address, his first face-to-face interaction with Gen Z after the Jantar Mantar protests.
Students complain of 'harassment' from repeated ID checks, bag searches and metal-detector screening, along with closure of campus libraries, labs and shops.
Over 3,000 students will receive degrees; Modi will present gold medals to nine students, while most graduates get degrees from other guests in the second half after he leaves.
Bags, water bottles and mobiles are banned at the venue for both students and parents, and students were told how low to bow when receiving medals from Modi.
Some students call the visit a publicity ploy to launch the new education minister and whitewash the Centre's image after the 'Cockroach Janta Party' protests.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, IIT Delhi students and faculty, and institute director Rangan Banerjee.
- What
- IIT Delhi's convocation ceremony, held under heavy security restrictions that students say disrupt campus life and amount to harassment.
- Where
- IIT Delhi campus in New Delhi, India.
- When
- Saturday, with Modi arriving at 11am and delivering his address from 11.35am.
- Why
- It marks Modi's first direct interaction with Gen Z after the Jantar Mantar protests; security agencies imposed strict protocols, while some students see it as a public-relations exercise.
Students and Critics
Government and Security Agencies
Campus Security
Students and Critics
Repeated ID, bag and metal-detector checks disrupt academic and daily life and amount to harassment of students.
Government and Security Agencies
Strict protocols are necessary for a high-profile visit and were directed by Delhi Police and security agencies.
Purpose of the Visit
Students and Critics
The visit is a publicity ploy to launch the new education minister and whitewash the Centre's image after student protests.
Government and Security Agencies
The event is a platform for the Prime Minister to reach out to young students after the Cockroach Janta Party protests.
Ceremony Logistics
Students and Critics
The programme was designed around Modi, moving degree distribution to the second half so some parents miss seeing their children graduate.
Government and Security Agencies
The schedule follows official protocols, with the second half of the ceremony beginning after the PM leaves.
Key facts
- Event
- IIT Delhi Convocation
- Chief Guest
- PM Narendra Modi
- Graduates
- Over 3,000 students receiving degrees
- Gold Medals
- Nine students to receive gold medals from Modi
- Modi's Schedule
- Arrives 11am; address at 11.35am; leaves before second half at 12.30pm
- Security Measures
- Metal detectors, paramilitary deployment, ID and bag checks, barricades
- On-Campus Bans
- Bags, water bottles and mobiles banned at Dogra Hall and Main Building
- Closures
- Computer centre, library and labs closed from 6pm Friday; campus shops closed till 4pm Saturday
Quotes
Unidentified IIT Delhi student
Student at IIT Delhi
““The security started asking the reasons for going out and for returning late, and what they were doing outside. In the name of security checks, they are harassing students.””
telegraphindia.com
““Whenever we leave or return to the hostel, our bags are minutely searched by campus security staff even though we haven’t stepped out of the campus.””
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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