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Tata Institute’s instructions to employees – Avoid posting ‘anti-government’ on social media

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), one of the country’s premier research institutes, has instructed its employees to avoid posting “anti-government” content, pictures and videos on social media as it can have serious security consequences. The institute has asked its employees as well as their family members to refrain from posting such content on social media.

TIFR registrar Wing Commander George Antony (retd) in a letter dated April 13 referred to the comments notified by the Department of Atomic Energy and said that the photographs and videos of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) office and its units were posted on Facebook, WhatsApp and others. seen on social media platforms.

TIFR is a national center of the Central Government which works under DAE. It is also a deemed university, where research takes place in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science and science. Its main campus is located in Mumbai and has centers in Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

It has been observed that some disgruntled employees are sharing anti-government content on social media. Agencies and the department have raised objections to these activities. The employees of the Institute should refrain from uploading photographs or videos of the Institute, its centres, field stations, residential colonies or any other government property on social media platforms, as it may have serious security consequences.

Significantly, the institute has several photographs of the campus and research facilities on its website. It is further written, ‘Employees are advised not to upload any kind of anti-government content on social media. His family members should also be made aware of this.

However, the letter did not explain why anti-government content has been banned on social media. Accepting this notification, TIFR Director S. Ramakrishnan said that he would respond to the questions on the letter on Monday. Sources say that this letter was issued on the instructions of DAE.

Sources said, “DAEs have been set up at various places in the country. The photos or videos mentioned in this letter may be of any of these setups so universal instructions can be issued for all setups. More clarity may come on this in a few days.

Earlier in March, The Wire reported in a report that the Times Group-owned Bennett University had instructed its students and their parents to sign an affidavit stating that they would not allow any form of violence inside or outside the campus. Will not participate in, support or promote ‘anti-national’ or ‘anti-social activity’.

Prior to that in June 2019, the Uttar Pradesh government had issued an ordinance which made it mandatory for new and existing private universities not to indulge in ‘anti-national activity’. It is to be known that government serving scientists are not allowed to speak against government policies under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 – ie CCS Rules.

However, in 2015 the Allahabad High Court ruled in a case that ‘[any] university professors are neither in any service nor held any administrative post under the union, nor are they local or other are in the service of the Authority. Hence, CCS (CCA) rules will not be applicable to the Central University.