Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai. File
| Photo Credit: Shashi Ashiwal
The Mumbai Police booked 10 students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for organising a get-together on the occasion of first death anniversary of late Prof. G.N. Saibaba, said police on Tuesday.
On Tuesday (October 14, 2025), two students were allegedly detained and interrogated about the event, claimed the students of TISS. The Mumbai Police at Trombay police station did not respond to the queries sent by The Hindu. A few students also claimed they are unable to return to campus as police have been calling them to the police station.
The second-year student from TISS, who was present at the get-together, on the condition of anonymity, said, “It was a spontaneous decision; hardly 8 to 10 students joined. At a chai tapri, we all were talking about G.N. Saibaba’s contributions and decided to just recite a few of his poems and light candles. There was no event, no sloganeering in support of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. This is absolutely a rumour.” Further, he added, “We were together for merely 10 minutes; even the guards were standing there.” Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were arrested in the 2020 Delhi riots case.
Another student from TISS, who also attended the event, said, “No speeches were made. We were just about to disperse when the right-wing students associated with the Democratic Secular Students Forum came and started clicking photos, posting on social media, tagging CMO, Mumbai police. After that, within a few minutes, the police arrived and registered a FIR the next day.”
On October 13, Dr. Vaishali Bhanudas Kolhe, Associate Dean, TISS, filed a complaint against a group of students for organising an unauthorised gathering, without prior permission, at the TISS campus to pay tribute to G.N. Saibaba, as per the police.
Mr. Saibaba was arrested for having alleged Maoist links and acquitted of all charges in 2024. The DU professor, who suffered from over 90% disability, died on October 12, months after his release.
The police booked students under sections 189, 190 (2), 192, 196, 197, 223 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and 37(1)(a)37(3) 135 under the Maharashtra Police Act 1951. The sections related to causing prejudice to the nation, enmity between groups, unlawful assembly, and others.
TISS administration claimed that they had no idea about the get-together and were not sure about the sloganeering. “We got to know the students were reciting a few poems. However, the Student Discipline Committee is allowing students to present their side of the story. However, for now, everything is peaceful on the campus. No one can come in the middle of Law and order,” said TISS Registrar Narendra Mishra confirming that the FIR was filed by TISS.
Published – October 15, 2025 02:51 am IST
