ISI Kolkata employees protest advisory urging staff to avoid comments that can harm communal harmony and national integrity
Times of India | 19 June 2026
Kolkata: Employees at Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata, on Thursday said they were confused about an advisory they received from the authorities as no major incident had occurred on the campus that could be seen as a threat to communal harmony or national integrity. A day earlier, ISI issued an advisory, urging staff members to refrain from any activity or public comment that was detrimental to either.
The institute has witnessed protests against the draft ISI Bill, which many fear could compromise its autonomy. On one occasion, a faculty member was arrested over a social media post, accusing the Election Commission of being partial. But, other faculty members said, neither amounted to being detrimental to communal harmony or national integrity. On the contrary, they said, the advisory could pose a threat to voices in the institute.
The advisory on public statements and professional conduct stated, “In view of the recent developments and various communications being received by the institute, highlighting the critical need to safeguard our institutional reputation, all scientific and non-scientific employees are advised to maintain the highest standards of professional and personal conduct, strictly refrain from participating in any activity or making any public commentary that could be detrimental to communal harmony or national integrity, and protect and enhance the name and reputation of the ISI at all times.”
A source said, “The advisory was probably issued by the director following a communication from higher authorities.”
While a senior professor said the advisory was an indication of even harder and more difficult times ahead, another professor said, “Students, teachers and staff members have over the past few months taken to the streets to protest against the Bill that plans to snatch away ISI, Kolkata, autonomy and shift the headquarters from here. The advisory is a way to intimidate employees, an attempt to throttle any voice of dissent and ensure no unified step can be taken to protest against the Bill.” Another professor said, “We are apprehensive that there may come restrictions on research topics that can be seen as critical of the govt.”
An ISI Kolkata alumnus, Abhinandan Sinha, said, “Data-based policy research institutes are integral to a country’s development for providing evidence-based feedback from independent research. Unnecessary bureaucratic control over extra-academic matters derails the academic institution’s primary objectives and spoils the free-spirited environment necessary for such independent research. As policy-related opinions are mostly subjective and can have multiple larger implications, hence academic freedom can never be de-linked from social freedom.”
He added, “Freedom of speech and participation for larger social causes is a fundamental right. Employers are hardly in the position to take a judgement on an individual’s larger social opinions, especially when the nature of such is subjective and doesn’t directly pertain to any of the employer’s academic activities. Any controversies in the realm of these are best left to the law enforcement institutions to mediate and take a judgement.”