Growing attacks on freedom of expression, Left MPs allege

New Delhi: Alleging increased attacks on academic freedom in Indian universities, Left members in the Rajya Sabha on Friday accused right-wing forces of "issuing certificates of nationalism" and asked the government as to who gave them this authority.

Raising the issue in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, CPI member D Raja drew the attention of the House on the recent happenings in Delhi University and earlier in JNU, Hyderabad University and other institutions of higher learning.

"There is an increasing attack on academic freedom, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of creation.

"There are some right-wing forces working in the universities. With your permission, I can take the name ... (name of the organisation) which has taken the authortity in its hand to certify who is nationalist, who is patriotic," Raja said as Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien asked him not to take the name of any organisation.

"Who has given them the authority to decide you are nationalist and I am nationalist? Who are they to decide? This is a dangerous trend," Raja said.

Stating that there is growing tension in all campuses, Raja said JNU is tense and students are fighting against new admission policies that is being introduced in JNU.

It would definitely adversely impact the entry of students from SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities and therefore the students are agitating against this new policy, he said.

In DU, he said, the students and teachers are agitating to restore their right to freedom of speech and expresssion.

"What is happening in our campuses. It is an issue concerning the future of the entire nation. Students are the future of the country," Raja said.

Associating himself with the issue, Sitaram Yechury of the CPI(M) said they would not allow this to happen in the name of nationalism.

"Organisations are taking upon themselves to decide what is right and what is wrong," Yechury said, adding that the House must condemn this and let law of the land to take its own course.