On October 13, 2025, the administration at Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) filed a police complaint against ten students for organizing a peaceful event on campus.

Students held a vigil to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of former Delhi University professor G. N. Saibaba. Imprisoned in 2014 for alleged Maoist activities, Saibaba passed away in 2024, less than a year after being acquitted of all charges by the Bombay High Court. Students assembled to light candles and display posters in Saibaba’s memory.

Without discussion with students, the TISS administration lodged a formal complaint with the Trombay Police in Mumbai. Citing a lack of official permission for the event, the police arrived on site and seized student laptops and phones. Students were charged with criminal offenses, including unlawful assembly, “promoting enmity between groups,” and injuring national harmony.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the prosecution of students in apparent retaliation for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. State authorities must refrain from actions intended to restrict or punish the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly as long as such activities are carried out peacefully and responsibly.

Sources:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/tiss-students-raise-concerns-at-being-booked-on-campus-101760468389091.html
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/fir-against-10-tiss-students-for-event-marking-gn-saibabas-death-anniversary
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPx1zczk6kI/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=95813976-223a-4a1a-80ba-41c4d51c917b