TMC MP Mahua Moitra has criticised IIT Roorkee after the institute issued an advisory reminding students and staff against expressing support for political movements on social media without permission.

Reacting to the notice, the Lok Sabha member said institutions funded by public money cannot ask students to surrender their constitutional right to free speech and protest.

“And @iitroorkee our money funds you. Don’t you DARE tell our kids to forego their constitutional right to free speech & protest. Retract this email & apologise. Students ignore these bootlickers,” Moitra posted on social media.

The controversy erupted after IIT Roorkee circulated an internal advisory on Monday cautioning students, employees and stakeholders against participating in political discussions or activities without approval from the institute.

The advisory referred to existing conduct rules that prohibit students and employees from making public statements that could be seen as damaging relations between the institute and the Central government.

“It has been noticed on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook that some of the campus inmates have shown their affinity with political movement like the one currently in public utterance and criticism,” the registrar said in the communication.

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The institute also reminded students and staff that IITs are primarily established for teaching, research and advancement of knowledge.

IIT Roorkee says notice was routine, not a new restriction

Following criticism online, IIT Roorkee clarified that the communication was not a new policy or directive.

The institute said the advisory was an internal reminder issued at the beginning of the academic session in accordance with existing notified conduct rules.

“Similar advisories are routinely issued every year in accordance with the institute's existing notified conduct rules and do not constitute any new directive or policy. The communication should not be misinterpreted or viewed out of context,” an IIT Roorkee spokesperson said.

The clarification came after several social media users accused the institute of attempting to restrict political expression among students.

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The notice came amid heightened political activity around a student-led protest near Parliament during the first day of the Monsoon Session.

Thousands of young protesters gathered in Delhi under the banner of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak controversy.

The movement began on June 20, while climate activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest on June 28 and has continued his hunger strike.

The timing of the IIT Roorkee advisory led to a wider debate online over the balance between institutional discipline and students’ rights to political expression.

With PTI inputs