Row over IIM Calcutta new code of conduct for faculty that bars from public airing of views

The faculty is not against any code of conduct, but would oppose any gag order that would force them not to participate in any debate or voice their individual opinion on different issues, a senior faculty member said.

Days after the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta released the new draft code of conduct for the faculty members that bars them from any public expression of their views on the government policies and actions, several teachers have reached out to the Board of Governors, voicing their dissent. A senior faculty member of the premier B-school told the media house that around 60 teachers have written to the Board of Governors, stating that it "cannot encroach upon the liberal space" of the staff, which has to be the hallmark of an educational institution of IIM-C's repute.
"The draft code of conduct, which was prepared by the Board of Governors during the tenure of former director Anju Seth, was shared with us in February-end, seeking our feedback, which is customary. We have voiced our misgivings to the contents in the letter," he said.

The faculty is not against any code of conduct, but would oppose any gag order that would force them not to participate in any debate or voice their individual opinion on different issues, he said, not wanting to be named. "While Central government employees are bound by the service conduct rules, there has to be flexible for institutions like IIMs. Also, the stated objective of the draft code was to offer that flexibility. However, it rather turned out to be exactly the opposite," he said.

Among the new code of conduct, key provisions include no criticising the institute or the government, no joining protest demonstrations that hurt “public order” or “decency,” curbs on going to the court or the press, no politics, no signing joint petitions for redressal.

The draft code, circulated late February by former director Anju Seth on behalf of the Board, has met strong resistance from the faculty. In a response signed by over 60 teachers, they have argued that the code, borrowing heavily from the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, goes against the understanding of an academic institution that is expected to promote critical thinking and academic freedom.

It also infringes on their Constitutionally protected rights and goes against the idea of considering academic institutions different from government departments.

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