ABVP Protests ‘Muktiparv’ at IISER Pune Over Alleged Maoist-Affiliated Speakers
Pune, 10th April 2025: A controversy has erupted at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, after the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) objected to the ‘Muktiparv’ programme being held on campus to mark Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.
The event, scheduled from 2 to 14 April, is being organised by students and includes panel discussions and cultural sessions centred on social justice, caste, and gender equality.
ABVP has raised concerns over the inclusion of certain external speakers, alleging they are affiliated with Maoist and left-wing extremist ideologies. The student group claims such associations are inappropriate in an academic setting and may encourage divisive, caste-based, or anti-national discourse.
According to ABVP’s State Secretary Atharva Kulkarni, the programme contradicts Dr. Ambedkar’s vision and compromises the institution’s integrity.
“Dr. Ambedkar opposed extremist ideologies. Inviting such controversial figures damages the reputation of IISER and distorts Ambedkar’s legacy,” Kulkarni said.
The organisation also highlighted the participation of ‘Pagdandi’—a publication ABVP accuses of promoting “urban Naxal” thought—whose books were reportedly displayed during the event. The group submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Himmat Jadhav and IISER Director Dr. Sunil Bhagwat, demanding that speakers with alleged radical affiliations be barred from campus activities.
In response, IISER issued a statement clarifying that the ‘Muktiparv’ event was a student-led initiative focused on discussions related to social justice and constitutional values. The administration stated that the event had received internal approval, with clear instructions to avoid any inflammatory or objectionable content.
“However, in light of the concerns raised, we have decided not to proceed with sessions involving external speakers at this time,” the institute said in its statement.
