IIT Roorkee Advises Students Against Social Media Support for Political Movements

Being Shot Down Online Over an Instant Warning

IIT Roorkee was recently in the eye of a huge online firestorm after it issued an internal advisory telling students, faculty and staff not to make social media posts supporting ongoing political movements. The email cited recent cases of members on campus openly supporting ongoing public agitations and reminded all of long-standing rules against participation in political discussions or making statements that could ruffle feathers between the institution and the central government. Screenshots of the advisory went viral on platforms like X and Instagram almost immediately, with alumni and online critics blasting the notice as an unfair “gag order” meant to stifle free speech and shut down dissent.

The Administration Responds With a Clarification

The online backlash snowballed, prompting the institute’s administration to step forward to clear the air, insisting the whole thing was being blown out of proportion. The media cell representatives stated that the note is not a new policy or a special reaction to current events but an ordinary internal reminder sent to the campus community at the start of every academic session. They emphasised that the guidelines are only a reminder for everyone to keep their minds on academics, research and campus life and not get involved in political fights from outside.

Trapped in Nationwide Protests

But the real reason people got worked up was the timing. The advisory came amid intense student protests across the country and high-profile marches in New Delhi where young protesters and activists have been hitting the streets demanding accountability over competitive exam leaks and irregularities. Critics said the administration had issued the notice just right to scare students from showing solidarity with the capital’s protesters, but IIT Roorkee said the communication was not connected to any outside event and asked everyone not to read too much into it.