TISS postpones convocation over 'protest fear'. Chief Justice was to be chief guest

TISS has postponed its 86th convocation, scheduled for August 2, citing unforeseen circumstances. The last-minute decision has upset students who made travel plans, while the institute has promised financial hardship support and a fresh date.

In Short

• Graduating students were informed by email less than two days earlier
• Many had already booked travel and accommodation for accompanying family members
• The institute cited unforeseen circumstances without disclosing the specific reason

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, has postponed its 86th convocation, scheduled for August 2. The decision came less than two days before the ceremony. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant was expected to attend as the chief guest. Officials and students said there were concerns over security arrangements amid fears of possible protests.

While TISS cited only "unforeseen circumstances" in its communication to students and did not officially link the decision to the proposed visit, officials and students familiar with the developments said there were apprehensions that protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement could disrupt the event. India Today could not independently verify whether these concerns led to the postponement.

The last-minute decision left many graduating students disappointed, with several saying they had already booked travel and accommodation for parents and relatives to attend the ceremony.

WHAT DID THE TISS EMAIL SAY

In an email sent to students, the institute's Registrar informed them that the convocation had been postponed but did not specify the reason behind the last-minute decision.

Later, in a public statement issued on Friday, TISS said the decision had been taken "in the best and long-term interest of the Institute" and to safeguard the wellbeing of everyone associated with the event.

"The Institute had to take the difficult decision to postpone the Convocation in the best and long term interest of the Institute as well as preserving the wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, dignitaries, guests, and campus life," the statement said.

The institute did not elaborate on the circumstances that led to the postponement.

According to reports, students and officials said the possibility of protests linked to the CJP movement had been widely discussed on campus in the run-up to the convocation. They also said police personnel visited the campus ahead of the event as part of what was perceived to be security preparations for Chief Justice Surya Kant's proposed visit. The institute, however, has not attributed the postponement to any security concern or protest-related issue.

The institute acknowledged the inconvenience caused to students and their families, many of whom had already finalised travel plans.

"TISS stands in full support of its students and will examine requests related to financial hardship arising from the postponement on a case-to-case basis, in accordance with applicable rules," the statement said, adding that affected students had already been informed through email.

The institute also assured graduating students that the convocation would be rescheduled at the earliest. It said it was "exploring diverse modes of organising the convocation" and that revised dates would be announced shortly.

Meanwhile, students requiring provisional degree certificates, consolidated grade sheets or other academic documents can continue to obtain them through the prescribed institutional process.

- Ends