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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has issued an advisory asking students, faculty and staff not to participate in political discussions or activities without prior permission from the institute, amid the ongoing nationwide attention surrounding the CJP-led protests over the alleged NEET paper leak. The communication, which went viral on social media, triggered criticism, with many describing it as a "gag order."

In the advisory issued by the Registrar's office, the institute said it had noticed some members of the campus community expressing support for political movements on social media platforms. It reminded students, employees and other stakeholders that IIT Roorkee's primary role is education, research and the advancement of knowledge, and that the institute's notified conduct rules prohibit participation in political activities or public political discussions without prior approval. It also cautioned against making public statements that could adversely affect the institute's relationship with the Central government or other organisations.

The advisory came against the backdrop of the ongoing protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. However, the institute did not mention the protests or CJP by name in the communication.

Following widespread backlash on social media, IIT Roorkee issued a clarification, saying the advisory was not a new directive or policy but a routine communication circulated every year at the beginning of the academic session in accordance with existing conduct rules. The institute said the advisory had been taken out of context and should not be interpreted as a fresh restriction onfreedom of expression.

The institute also reiterated through a post on X that personal opinions expressed by students or employees do not represent IIT Roorkee's official position, adding that official communications are issued only through authorised institutional channels.