TIFR withdraws order baring employees making anti-govt social media posts

According to a Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) official, the notice prohibiting its employees from making anti-government statements in social media posts has been withdrawn.
The institute's spokesperson, Ajay Abhyankar, said the notice was withdrawn on Monday.

The TIFR, a premier scientific research institution in the country under the Department of Atomic Energy, had on Saturday termed the wording of the notice as "great misinterpretation" which imposed restrictions on its employees from making anti-government statements in posts on social media.

"...public criticisms of the institution or the government have always required prior permission," the notice stated.

"On April 13, 2022, the Registrar of TIFR issued a notice to all TIFR employees, in response to a notice issued by the DAE, imposing restrictions on (1) posting pictures or videos of the Institute premises, and (2) making anti-government statements in posts on social media, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and other platforms," according to the TIFR.

"The purpose of the notice was to clarify that both the above pre-existing rules also apply to social media as well as to other media, such as TV, or print media. No new restrictions on family members and visitors of staff members are being imposed or are intended to be imposed. This note is being issued to clarify this point," the notice had said.