MUMBAI: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) abruptly postponed its 86th annual convocation, scheduled for Sunday, just two days before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant was to attend as the chief guest, leaving hundreds of graduating students and their families stranded and upset.In an email sent to students around 12.50am on Friday, the institute said the convocation had been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances”. In a statement issued later in the day, TISS said the decision had been taken in the “best long-term interests of the institute” and to ensure the well-being of students, faculty, staff, dignitaries, guests and the campus community.The institute, however, did not specify the reason for the last-minute postponement. Several students claimed the administration may have cancelled the event over concerns about possible protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). They maintained that no protest had been planned or discussed either on or off campus, and added that students had not been officially informed in advance that the CJI would be attending the ceremony.The sudden cancellation left many students facing financial losses after travelling to Mumbai with their parents and relatives. Several said they had spent on non-refundable flight and train tickets, hotel bookings and had taken leave from work to attend what they described as a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.Student collective Progressive Students’ Forum also questioned the decision, pointing out that final semester results had already been delayed, affecting students. The group demanded accountability from the institute for the last-minute cancellation and compensation for the financial losses incurred by students.In its statement, TISS acknowledged the inconvenience caused to graduating students and their families and said it would examine requests related to financial hardship arising from the postponement on a case-by-case basis. It added that it was working to reschedule the convocation and was exploring alternative formats for holding the ceremony.Students, however, described the midnight communication as “disrespectful” and said it had caused avoidable hardship.“I was already in Mumbai for work, but my parents travelled all the way from our hometown. 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,” said one student.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. Many of us may not be able to travel again if the convocation is held on another date,” the student said.
