The abrupt cancellation of Muktiparv, a scheduled event focused on the works and legacy of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, has triggered sharp criticism and protests from students at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. The event, planned for April 13 as part of a series of art and literature events this month, was called off following objections reportedly raised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

The institute issued a statement citing concerns over controversy and law and order, stating that the event with external speakers would not be hosted “at this time.” However, students and organisers accused the administration of yielding to pressure and curbing academic discourse at a premier educational institution.

Event was scheduled to discuss caste, gender and Ambedkarite thought

Muktiparv was set to feature a panel of scholars, including Nazima Parveen, Deepali Salve, and Smita Patil—academicians known for their work on social equality and caste and gender dynamics. The event was designed to highlight Dr Ambedkar’s ideas on justice, social reform, and empowerment.

The cancellation came as a surprise to organisers, who said all necessary permissions had been obtained and earlier events under the same series had been conducted without issue. “We have been scheduling programmes since March. Due permissions were taken, and we successfully held an art exhibition last week,” one student said.

ABVP claims threat to social harmony

The Maharashtra wing of ABVP had publicly opposed the event on social media, labelling the invited speakers as “radicals” and alleged affiliates of the so-called “Tukde Tukde gang.” Their press release claimed that previous editions of Muktiparv included remarks that had hurt sentiments, and this year’s programme could potentially “divide society based on religion.”

Following the Pride March on campus by the Satrangi Club on April 6, tensions escalated. By April 10, ABVP representatives had approached the IISER director and Pune police demanding cancellation of the Muktiparv event.

Deepali Salve, one of the invited speakers, condemned the cancellation, accusing the ABVP of attempting to silence dissent and student voices. “RSS who left no stone unturned in dividing the country on the basis of caste and religion are today accusing those who hold the country together,” she said.

She further added, “Perhaps BJP and RSS have forgotten that the country will be governed by the Constitution, not Manusmriti.”

Students expressed anger at being kept in the dark about the decision and criticised the administration’s lack of communication. “The move is completely baseless, and no concrete reason has been stated. The lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” said one of the organisers.

The IISER student council pointed out that the complaint against the event labelled the speakers as “Dalit activists, journalists, and feminists who organised the ‘Night is Ours’ protest.” Many students and supporters of the event have since raised questions over institutional autonomy and the space for marginalised voices on campus.

By Mohammad Javed Rasheedi

The arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium has once again turned attention to one of India’s most significant financial frauds—the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. The Rs 14,000 crore fraud, which came to light in 2018, involved Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, who colluded with bank officials to illegally obtain credit guarantees using forged documents.

Choksi, who was reportedly living in Antwerp with his wife after securing residency in Belgium in late 2023, was arrested on April 12 from a hospital. His detention follows extradition efforts by Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), who have been pursuing him for years.

What was the PNB scam?

The fraud involved fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) at PNB’s Brady House branch in Mumbai. Choksi’s firm, Gitanjali Gems and other entities linked to Nirav Modi, used these LoUs to obtain credit from foreign banks—far exceeding regulatory norms. These guarantees, worth thousands of crores, were issued without proper sanctions, security, or entries in the bank’s core system.

Investigations revealed that Choksi and Modi used the SWIFT network to communicate with overseas banks without updating PNB’s internal banking software, thereby bypassing oversight. This led to an estimated Rs 6,344 crore loss to PNB alone, as multiple Indian banks including SBI and Axis Bank released funds based on the fraudulent LoUs.

Timeline of the scam’s discovery

The scam began unravelling in early 2018 when employees from companies like Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds requested LoUs and were denied due to lack of margin security. Upon further checks, PNB discovered that such requests had been routinely granted in the past without collateral.

PNB filed a complaint with the CBI on January 29, 2018, naming Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and other accomplices, including bank officials. The initial fraud amount stood at Rs 280.7 crore but ballooned to over Rs 14,000 crore within months.

Nirav Modi first received a fraudulent LoU in March 2011 and went on to obtain over 1,200 such guarantees. The ED found that dummy companies abroad were used to funnel money and devices used for these transactions were allegedly destroyed by Nirav’s brother, Nehal Modi.

Modi fled India before formal charges were filed, applied for bankruptcy protection in New York in 2018, and was arrested in London in March 2019. He continues to fight extradition to India.

Mehul Choksi was declared a fugitive in early 2018 and fled India citing medical issues. He acquired Antiguan citizenship in 2017 and later tried to flee to Cuba in 2021. He was intercepted in Dominica and later returned to Antigua. He then reportedly moved to Belgium for medical treatment, where he was arrested following India’s renewed extradition request.

The Enforcement Directorate has seized assets worth Rs 2,362 crore linked to Choksi, spread across Thailand, Dubai, Japan, the US, and other locations. Coordination is ongoing with international authorities to recover and repatriate more assets.

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, wanted in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been arrested in Belgium. The Centre welcomed the development, with Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to bringing back those who fled abroad after defrauding the Indian public.

Chaudhary stated that those who looted the poor would not be spared, echoing PM Modi’s earlier assurance that every penny stolen would be recovered. “PM Modi had already said that the ones who have looted the money of the poor will have to return it. Action is being taken against a lot of people in the country. Mehul Choksi has been arrested. It is a very big achievement,” the minister said.

Choksi’s arrest in Belgium was made possible due to persistent efforts by Indian investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He is currently lodged in a Belgian jail, with a bail plea hearing scheduled for next week. Indian authorities are expected to use the window to strengthen the case for his extradition via diplomatic channels.

According to sources, Choksi was reportedly planning to move to Switzerland for medical treatment when he was apprehended. His arrest was based on two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court in 2018 and 2021.

PM’s warning from 2021 revisited

The latest development also revives Prime Minister Modi’s 2021 warning at a joint conference of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the CBI, where he had said that individuals who cheat or loot the poor will not be spared—irrespective of their status or location.

With Choksi’s detention, the government sees a step forward in its ongoing efforts to crack down on economic offenders who have taken shelter abroad.