The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has clarified that a viral advisory asking students, faculty and staff to refrain from participating in political discussions or making public statements that could embarrass the institute or the Central government is not a new directive, but a routine communication issued at the start of every academic session.

The clarification came after an internal email dated July 20 began circulating on social media, with several users describing it as a "gag order" aimed at preventing students from commenting on or participating in ongoing student protests.

The advisory reminded members of the institute that, under its notified conduct rules, no student or employee is permitted to "join political discussion or participate in any political activity without prior permission" of the institute. It also cautioned against making statements in print, electronic or broadcast media that are "capable of embarrassing the relations between the institute and the Central Government or any other organisations or members of the public."

The communication gained wider attention amid images and videos of a campus protest in which students were seen holding banners reading "IITians Stand With Sonam Wangchuk." The visuals were widely shared online, with several social media users linking the advisory to the demonstrations. IIT Roorkee, however, has not linked the communication to any specific protest.

ROUTINE COMMUNICATION, NOT A FRESH DIRECTIVE

Responding to the controversy on July 22, IIT Roorkee said the advisory was being interpreted without context.

"The communication being referred to is an internal advisory circulated among students, faculty, and staff at the commencement of each academic session," the institute said.

It added that similar advisories are "routinely issued every year in accordance with the Institute's existing notified conduct rules and do not constitute any new directive or policy."

"The communication should not be misinterpreted or viewed out of context," the institute said.

In the Union Budget 2026-27, the government allocated Rs 12,123 crore to the IIT system, an increase of Rs 774 crore over the Budget Estimates for 2025-26, as part of its funding for India's premier engineering institutions.

The controversy has sparked debate on social media over the balance between institutional conduct rules and freedom of expression on university campuses. While critics described the communication as a "gag order", IIT Roorkee has maintained that the advisory merely reiterates existing conduct rules followed every academic session and does not impose any fresh restrictions.

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Published By:

Mridusmita Deka

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 16:09 IST