The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), considered a liberal institution, has come under criticism from its own students’ union for allegedly becoming a shrinking place for academic debate.

The students’ union has issued a statement to allege that the institute has refused to allow students to hold academic debates and questioned students trying to organise such events.

Two students said the institute recently did not allow them to hold an academic discussion at an annual fest organised by students of northeastern states on the campus. Some students had last month invited Magsaysay award winner Bezwada Wilson to speak on the scourge of manual scavenging, but the institute did not allow it to be held in the face-to-face mode.

The students said the institute was trying to crush debate on the assumption that such activities might critically analyse the Union government’s policies.

A student said there were no guidelines from the institute on the protocol for seeking approval for academic and cultural events. Institute officials are routinely asking the students’ group to seek approval and are verbally denying permission, the student said.

In its statement, the union said the restrictions imposed on student activities and the “unprofessional, insensitive communication” raised serious concerns. “The implementation of informal restrictions on student activities without explanations, including event approvals (even for routine school events), venue usage, and gatherings raises a fundamental question: whom is this campus actually for? It seems the restrictions are focused on creating an ‘artificially sanitised environment’ for the time being, rather than fostering a vibrant and engaged student community,” it said.

The union said the institute was targeting students who organise such events. The institute has preferred to communicate with students verbally instead of replying through email or order, it said.

The Telegraph sent an email to vice-chancellor Manoj Kumar Tiwari to understand the institute’s perspectives on the union’s complaints. His comments are awaited.