Editor's Pick: rethinking order on international webinars

(The Editor's Pick is a new newsletter from The Hindu that provides a snapshot of the most important stories from today's edition of our newspaper, along with a note from our top editors on why we chose to give prominence to these stories.)

The Hindu has learnt that the government may modify a controversial order regarding international webinars organised by government-funded institutions and organisations. Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India K. VijayRaghavan told The Hindu that the concerns that have been raised about last month's order from the Ministry of Education have been noted and that modifications may be notified soon.

The Ministry of Education order says that all international conferences organised by Ministries, PSUs, Central institutions, and government-funded institutions will require the permission of the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry. It also said that any international conference dealing with 'sensitive subjects', or having to do with 'internal security', or having foreign funding, will need clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs. It further stipulated that the participation of Ministers and senior government officials in international conferences also requires MEA clearance.

The order is being criticised as having too broad a sweep. Internal security issues have been defined as anything to do with border, J&K, North East states, "or any other issues which are clearly/purely related to India's internal matters"; sensitive subjects cover "political, scientific, technical, commercial, personal." Academics say that the stipulations are vague and confusing and could include anything. They also say that the restrictions will stymie research, particularly at a time in which collaboration on issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic is important. Several scientific organisations have written to the government urging that the order be reconsidered.

While some restrictions and scrutiny on foreign participants in physical conferences held in India have existed before, this is reportedly the first time that such restrictions have been placed on online participation. The possibility that the government may now loosen the restrictions on the sweeping provisions is what makes the story important.

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