Will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate', tweets Rahul Gandhi on IIT row

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday latched on to the de-recognition of a IIT Madras student association to attack Narendra Modi government, saying it was aimed at "crushing" dissent as he assured to fight any such attempt.

"IIT student group banned for criticising the Modi government. What next? Free speech is our right. We will fight any attempt to crush dissent and debate," the Congress vice-president said in tweets posted by his office.

The institute has de-recognised the students group, consisting several Dalits, following a complaint that it was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani backed IIT's action, saying the institution has clearly stated that some procedures by the students' organisation was not followed and it knew that Dean will de-recognise it for violating norms.

Gandhi's attack comes a day after he had hit out at RSS for its ideology, which he alleged "murders individuality".

"You see the shakhas of RSS. There is a straight queue of shakhas. If any one makes a noise there, he will be hit with a baton. Have you talked to any RSS and BJP leader? Discipline is just an excuse for them to murder individuality. And this is the thought process, which is running the country," he had said.