In the backdrop of an open-house event held at the Indian Institute of Technology's (IIT-B) convocation hall last Wednesday, where students who raised questions on the nation's current political situation were asked by the director to not discuss such issues, they have written an open letter on social media condemning the stand taken by the institute against them for critising government policies. They have further claimed that it was an attack on their freedom of expression.

The letter states, "The identity of being a student/researcher/academician is not mutually exclusive from the identity of being a concerned citizen of the country. Hence, we do not find reason to see our journey in academics devoid of social, political observations and interactions. As students we want an on-campus environment which is vibrant, free and open for any activities that come under the purview of free speech as per the Constitution of India."