TISS postpones 86th convocation two days before CJI Surya Kant's visit as CJP protest fears grip campus

Mumbai's Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has abruptly postponed its 86th annual convocation, scheduled for Sunday, 2 August, just two days before the ceremony was set to take place with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest.

The decision was communicated to students via email around 12:50 am on Friday, 31 July, with the institute's Registrar stating the convocation was postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances". No specific reason was given in the initial email. A formal statement issued later that evening said the institute had "assessed that the ceremony could not be held in a conducive environment" and that proceeding "could have affected the wellbeing of students, faculty, staff, dignitaries, guests, and campus life".

According to officials and students who spoke to The Indian Express and Times of India, the last-minute call came amid campus discussions over security arrangements for the CJI's visit and concerns that protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement could break out during the event.

"Although this was not publicly announced anywhere, it was common knowledge on campus," a TISS official told The Indian Express. "Considering the current situation surrounding the CJP, there were concerns over whether there would be any protest or other activity targeting the chief guest on campus."

Students maintained that no protest had been planned or discussed on campus. The Progressive Students' Forum, a student collective at TISS, said there was no official communication about the CJI's visit and that messages circulating on campus — attributed to right-wing groups — had warned students of consequences if any dissenting activity occurred during the convocation.

"They said there were concerns that protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement could break out during the event," the Times of India reported, quoting students who said police personnel had visited the campus in the days before the event, believed to be part of security preparations for the Chief Justice's visit.

The sudden cancellation left hundreds of graduating students and their families stranded. Many had already travelled to Mumbai with non-refundable flight and train tickets, and hotel bookings. Several said they had taken leave from work to attend what they described as a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.

"I was already in Mumbai for work, but my parents travelled all the way from our hometown," one student told TOI. "Graduating from TISS was a proud moment for our family and we were looking forward to the ceremony. Now there is no clarity on compensation or when the convocation will be held."

Another student said several members of the graduating batch were still awaiting placements and could ill afford another trip to Mumbai. Some students requested that the institute issue degree certificates and final marksheets without the ceremony, but that was declined.

TISS has acknowledged the financial hardship and said it would examine requests for support on a case-by-case basis. The institute also said it was working to reschedule the convocation and exploring alternative formats.

What we can verify

• Convocation postponed 31 July for 2 August ceremony. TISS email sent 12:50 am 31 July cited "unforeseen circumstances"; public statement issued later that day. — The Indian Express; Times of India
• CJI Surya Kant was chief guest. Both outlets confirm the Chief Justice of India was scheduled to attend the 86th convocation on 2 August. — The Indian Express; Times of India
• Campus discussions over CJP-linked protest fears. Officials told IE the institute assessed the ceremony could not be held in a "conducive environment" amid concerns protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party movement could target the chief guest. — The Indian Express
• Students deny any protest plan. Multiple students said no protest was planned or discussed on or off campus. — Times of India
• Financial losses reported. Students incurred non-refundable travel and accommodation costs; TISS said it would examine hardship requests case by case. — The Indian Express; Times of India

What remains unverified

• Whether right-wing messages explicitly warned of consequences. Students attributed circulated messages to right-wing groups but these were not independently verified. [unverified]
• Whether police campus visits were specifically for CJI security or general law-and-order. Students and officials believed the visits were tied to the CJI's planned attendance. [unverified]
• Exact date for rescheduled convocation. TISS said it would announce a revised date soon but none has been confirmed. [unverified]