TISS Guwahati Alumni Unites Against Institutional Murder of Social Justice

Rollback Regressive Change in Financial Assistance Mechanism for Socially Marginalized Students

Demand for White Paper on Financial Statements under Different Heads

Guwahati | February 22, 2018: We, the Alumni, of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati stand united with the ongoing protest happening across all campuses of TISS against any oppressive change in the financial assistance mechanism. TISS has been widely appreciated for exempting reserved category students from fees and collecting their scholarship funds directly from the Government. This kind of assistance has proven crucial and has reflected clearly in attracting students from marginalized background from all over the country resulting in a wider participation and representation at the grassroots as well as in the civil society organisations.

Recently, the TISS administration announced changes in the financial assistance mechanism, which will now require the reserved category students to submit their fees and apply for the GOI-PMS separately. This clearly shows the institute’s shift from its principles and commitment to the social justice.

“Since its inception, the Vision of the TISS has been to be an institution of excellence in higher education that continually responds to changing social realities through the development and application of knowledge, towards creating a people-centred, ecologically sustainable and just society that promotes and protects dignity, equality, social justice and human rights for all.”

We are deeply saddened by the recent decisions taken by TISS administration which are against the interests of the student community. In the present scenario, when universities are crumbling under the pressure of the global onslaught of privatization & increased surveillance, we expect TISS to stand with the student community and adhere by its principles.

We were shocked upon hearing the word ‘favour’ from the institute’s former director Prof. S. Parasuraman. It is sheer arrogance to think that the institute has been built single handedly. Institute includes all of us starting from the students, teachers, admin staff, alumni, and so on, all of who have equally contributed in keeping the institute and its principles alive. Merely financial assistance cannot discount or overpower the contribution and participation of the students, especially those from the marginalized sections. More importantly, it is the student community, who has kept the institution alive even after the repeated false and unfulfilled promises from the same person who today boasts of institutional ‘favour’ to the marginalized students.

Especially, as TISS Guwahati alumni, we are well aware of the efficiency of TISS Mumbai administration and their attempts to strangulate the organic growth of socially & geographically important and diverse campuses like TISS Guwahati. Be it the financial promises, releasing funds received from the State and Central Governments, addressing academic issues, or promotion of student’s activities, everywhere we have faced oppressive control from the TISS Mumbai administration. We reject this elitist hegemony and demand a public apology from the former director of the institute.

The present Central Government has been actively murdering the idea of social justice in academia all over the country starting from FTII, JNU, EFLU, Jadavpur University, BHU, Punjab University, to the University of Hyderabad. Withdrawal of scholarship, reduction in budgetary allocations, introduction of AADHAR for scholarships, increased surveillance, fees hike, a push towards privatization, all of this has been slowly and steadily encroaching upon the organic spaces in these renowned universities which are specifically committed towards promoting equity and social justice.

We, the TISS Guwahati Alumni, unanimously reject the oppressive attempts by the TISS Mumbai administration and extend our solidarity to students fighting together across all the campuses. We support all the demands of the students and insist that the administration immediately resolve this situation taking along the views of the entire TISS student community.

On behalf of TISS Guwahati Alumni,

1. Sreyasi Mukherjee, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
2. Richa Sahu, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2015-17, BA in Social Sciences, 2012-15
3. Gracefulness Rymmai, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2015-17
4. Mona Alice Marbaniang, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2015-17
5. Prosenjit Sheel, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
6. Khrolhiweu Tsuhah, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2013-15
7. Preety Syiemlieh, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2015-2017
8. Chanbeni Ezung, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
9. Priyank Sharma, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2013-15
10. H. Sara. Khongsai, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2015-17
11. Nisha Poojari, MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2014-16
12. Sonu Prasad Yadav, MA Social Work, 2012-14
13. Nitu Deori, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
14. Farzana Nasreen, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2013-15
15. Aaquib Zabed Majumder, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
16. Anima Debbarma, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2014-16
17. Binarani Borgohain, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2013-15
18. T. Chingmuanniang Paite, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
19. Augustin Millik, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
20. Anwesha Saikia, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
21. Pulama Mukherjee, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
22. Thangliensang, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
23. Eti Mog, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
24. Kinchan Chakma, MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2015-17
25. Neelesh Bhattacharya, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
26. Sabita Chettri, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2014-16
27. Plabon Phukan, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2013-15
28. Sumedha Mandal, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2015-17
29. Wungreithan Awungshi, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
30. Haipeurangbe Ndang Moses, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
31. Swarnami Chanda, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
32. Henry Robert Goldsmith, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
33. Arun Morang, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2015-17
34. Samuel Tamang, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2015-17
35. Ruchunsinle Tep, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2015-17
36. Vivek Chhetri, MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2015-17
37. Arsreeta Kashyap, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
38. Mohd. Asif Khan, MA Social Work, 2012-14
39. Manohar Lal Vishnoi, MA Social Work, 2012-14
40. Pragya Timsina, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2015-17
41. Debashree Biswas, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2013-15
42. Liinai Margaret, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
43. Prastuti Goswami, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2013-15
44. Debika Chakravarty, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2015-17
45. Jyotishmoy Deka, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
46. Priyanka Agarwal, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
47. Thanglenngam Haokip, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
48. N. Shabong, MA Social Work, 2012-14
49. Rashmi Dutta Dey, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
50. Ribor Kharsynniang, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2014-16
51. Bijoy Limbu, MA Social Work, 2012-14
52. Phoor Tshering Lepcha, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2014-16
53. Bharath Kumar G, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2012-14
54. Abhijeet Parulekar, MA in Labour Studies and Social Security, 2013-15
55. Sumanjita Barman, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2015-17
56. Migma Lhamu Lama, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
57. Janki Ngongwa, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2015-17
58. Jharna Buragohain, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
59. Imadangjungla Jamir, MA Peace and Conflict Studies, 2014-16
60. Arshad Ansari, MA Social Work, 2012-14
61. Priyadarshi Shrivastava, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
62. Sharon Kath, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2014-16
63. Pintu Hati, MA Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2015-17
64. Tapasi Ghosh Tarafdar, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2014-16
65. Priyanka Patowari, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2013-15
66. Shilpi Sikha Das, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2014-16
67. Manoj Kumar Paswan, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2014-16
68. Raj Laxmi Purty, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
69. Brojo Kumar Basumatary, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
70. Toijam Diana, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2015-17
71. Snehashish Mitra, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2012-14
72. Sanjib Daimari, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
73. Lydia Lhaineineng Lhouvum, MA Social work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2013-15
74. Sunil Hembram, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2013-15
75. Ashmita Bhattacharya, MA Social work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2013-15
76. Ansuma Brahma, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2014-16
77. Sarada Langthasa, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2015-17
78. Kangkana Sarma, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2013-15
79. Shabana S. A. Hussain, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2014-16
80. Gracy Pargi, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
81. Kalpesh Chauhan, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
82. Ruchika Kanoi, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2015-17
83. Usha Lakra, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
84. Anindita Datta, MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, 2014-16
85. Rituparna Neog, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2015-17
86. Tage Yamang, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2014-16
87. Phungkha Basumatary, MA Social Work, 2012-14
88. Trishna Sarma, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
89. Manasi Baishya, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2015-17
90. Ravnish Kumar, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2014-16
91. Narang Rinya, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2014-16
92. Ajay Lakra, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2015-17
93. Sanjeev Mallick, MA in Labour Studies and Social Security, 2013-15
94. Tshering Pincho Bhutia, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2012-14
95. Chinmoyee Bhuyan, MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2015-17
96. Marcelina Kujur, MA Social Work in Counselling, 2014-16
97. Sayan Banerjee, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2015-17
98. Lalramnghaki Hauhnar, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2015-17
99. Sumi Dowarah, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
100. Shubham Singhal, BA in Social Sciences, 2013-16
101. Lyntiborn Marngar, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2014-16
102. Kritesh Ghushar, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
103. Aparna Jha, BA in Social Sciences, 2012-15
104. Piuli Dhar, MA Social Work in Public Health, 2015-17
105. Khoda Bhava, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15
106. Sonika Dhingra, MA in Social Work, 2012-14
107. Basir Lakha, MA in Social Work, 2012-14
108. Supriya Jha, MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2015-17, BA in Social Sciences, 2012-15
109. Swajal Samrat, BA in Social Sciences, 2013-16
110. Bikash Doley, MA in Labour Studies and Social Security, 2013-15
111. Moonmoon Konwar, MA in Labour Studies and Social Security, 2013-15
112. Nembiekmoi, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2014-16
113. Ringbila P, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
114. Anirban Dutta, MA in Labour Studies and Social Security, 2013-15
115. Pf. Leshiphro Kashena, MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection, 2015-17
116. Vivek Mishra, MA in Labour Studies and Social Security, 2013-15
117. Mary L Songate, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2015-17
118. Jaunga Moshahary, MA Social Work in Community Organisation and Development Practices, 2014-16
119. Vijay Pratap, MA in Social Work, 2012-14
120. Zeenat Arman, MA Social Work in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship, 2013-15
121. Amit Kumar, MA in Ecology, Environment, and Sustainable Development, 2013-15