Islamic students’ group condemns Goa branding them ‘anti-national’

Panaji: Protests are mounting against a controversial circular issued by the Goa Directorate of Education, with the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) accusing the state government of imposing sweeping restrictions on democratic engagement and academic freedom in educational institutions. The organisation has described the order as a defamatory attack on a legally functioning student body and warned of legal action if it is not withdrawn.

The circular, issued on July 6 based on reports from the North Goa District Magistrate and the Special Branch of the Goa Police, cites a police assessment that SIO is "perceived to be potentially anti-social and anti-national in nature." SIO has rejected the allegations as baseless, arguing that branding a nationwide student organisation in such a manner violates the principles of natural justice and damages its reputation.

According to SIO, the organisation has a transparent presence across colleges, universities and communities, with its activities centred on educational empowerment, academic excellence, social responsibility and democratic participation. It contends that portraying such organisations as security threats undermines the very purpose of education and infringes upon the constitutional guarantees of academic freedom and freedom of expression.

The circular also introduces stringent regulations governing interactions with external organisations and speakers in educational institutions. Schools and colleges must obtain prior written approval from the Directorate of Education before hosting seminars, lectures or similar programmes by outside individuals or organisations. Applications must include detailed organisational information, speaker profiles and the complete content of the proposed programme.

The order further requires a faculty member to remain present throughout every event, while the institution's head must submit a post-event report certifying that no objectionable content was presented. Educational institutions have also been directed to maintain a register of all visitors and immediately inform the police if any unauthorised individual attempts to interact with students.

SIO has demanded that the Goa government revoke the circular and remove what it calls defamatory references against the organisation. It has warned that failure to do so will compel it to seek legal remedies to protect its constitutional rights and institutional reputation.