The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday withdrew a controversial order issued last month that required universities and professors to get prior approval from the government to hold online international conferences centred around “sensitive subjects”, events relating to national security, or which are “clearly related to India’s internal matters”.
The government cited the “easing of restrictions on travel and assembly of people” as the reason behind withdrawal of the previous order. However, the order was likely taken back after backlash from scientists, according to The Hindu.
The previous order that was issued on January 31, was based on the guidelines originally issued by the external affairs ministry on November 25, 2020, The Hindu reported.
Apart from universities and professors, the order also asked state government ministers, government officials, including doctors and scientists, to take permission…