MUMBAI: The recent central government directive asking public-funded institutions, including educational institutions, PSUs or any organisation controlled by state or centre, to seek prior approval for conducting virtual international seminars and also get the names of participants approved has raised concerns among academicians, scientists and doctors. Many see it as a move to curtail democratic space and are wary about the broad classification, which is subjective.
The guidelines mention that events related to security of state, border, J&M issues, which are purely related to India’s internal matters, or sensitive subjects in political, scientific, technical, commercial or personal with provisions of sharing data will also require MEA’s clearance. An administrative secretary’s approval will be required for government officials/scientists/doctors participating in virtual international conferences too, as per the directive.
Aniket Sule from Homi Bhabha Institute of Science Education, TIFR, said that there are major concerns with the centre’s directive. “Informing the government about a conference where international speakers are invited was always the norm. But there were concerns of security breach, about them physically visiting sensitive locations. But now no participants are visiting the country physically and therefore, it should not be a problem,” said Sule. He also said that academicians visiting abroad for events or even attending it online, never needed approval. “Plenty of such events happen across the world and Indians are invited, the respective departments will be flooded with requests and they will not be able to process it on time,” he said.
Soumitro Banerjee, from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, said that their institute is yet to get the directive from the centre, but added that he has apprehensions on how this would impact the open forum in science. “If there are security concerns it is understandable. But science is international and an open movement and any kind of roadblock will be detrimental for the growth of science. There are interactive sessions, where sessions are held on YouTube and the link is open to all, one cannot control who attends these sessions. Also, delays in getting approvals from the government, will effectively impact our participation in events,” said Banerjee.
The order has come as a surprise to the medical fraternity who said that online forums have become the primary source of information and knowledge exchange during the pandemic. Amar Jesani, a physician researcher and editor of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, called the decision “absurd”. “It is another unfortunate instance of closing down democratic space and scientific interaction,” he said, adding that cyberspace has no physical boundaries. “It’s a free space where people discuss work and research freely. India will become a laughing stock with such decisions, he said. Jesani also questioned how such controls can be exercised on Facebook and YouTube where anyone can participate or ask a question.
Bhopal-based Dr Anant Bhan, a researcher in bioethics said that science thrives through international academic exchange and discussions. “In today's world, this includes both physical and online modes. Already, government scientists and doctors have to take clearances for participation in meetings at institutional and other levels. To add another level of bureaucracy to this, especially procedural, is creating another barrier for Indian scientists,” he said.
A senior oncologist who has participated in several dozen webinars during the lockdown, said, “The government should have clarified its motive. Is it to monitor the content or because most of the hosting platforms are international,” he said. At Mumbai’s civic-run medical colleges, the norm is usually to get a go-ahead from the department or institute head and for international travel from administrative heads in BMC. “There was a norm to seek approval from CM’s office for any foreign visit, but it’s not followed in practice,” said one of the deans.