Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa unit of the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has strongly opposed the Directorate of Education’s recent directive regulating the participation of external organisations in educational institutions, describing the contents of the circular as baseless and damaging to its credibility.
In a statement, State Secretary Shaikh Aftab Hussein expressed concern over the circular’s observation that the organisation is “perceived to be potentially anti-social and anti-national in nature.” He said such a characterisation was made without supporting material and unfairly portrayed the organisation.
According to SIO, it is a legally recognised student movement with an established presence in educational institutions across the country. The organisation said it has consistently worked in the areas of student development, educational awareness, leadership, social service and civic participation.
The organisation further argued that the circular raises concerns about academic freedom and the constitutional rights to free expression and association. It maintained that educational institutions should continue to engage with a wide range of scholars, professionals and civil society groups to encourage informed discussion and learning.
Seeking immediate intervention, SIO has called upon the Directorate of Education and the State government to withdraw the circular and delete the references that it considers defamatory.
The organisation has also indicated that it is prepared to seek legal remedies if the notification remains in force, stating that it would act to safeguard both its reputation and its constitutional protections.
The Directorate of Education had recently directed schools and colleges to obtain prior approval before inviting the Students Islamic Organisation of India or any other outside organisation or speaker for programmes on campuses, citing security-related considerations as the reason for the decision.
