Mumbai:
A group of around 20 students belonging to the reputed Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) today boycotted their convocation ceremony as a mark of protest against the proposed nuclear power plant in Jaitapur.
The move is symbolic as Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh was the Chief Guest at the 71st convocation ceremony of TISS.
Besides the boycott, some students protested by wearing black bands, carrying placards and posters, and sporting t-shirts and caps that had anti-nuclear message.
"After the convocation ceremony is over, students will have an opportunity to talk to the minister and submit their memorandum," TISS sources said.
Earlier, the government had ruled out reconsideration of the decision to set up the world's largest nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Maharshtra's Ratnagiri district.
The decision came after Mr Ramesh along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Narayanasamy met with Dr Manmohan Singh to discuss the controversial project.
At a press conference later, they said a bill would be introduced to create an autonomous nuclear regulatory body which will eventually replace the current Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. All reviews by this Board would be made public and a new safety audit would be conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
(With PTI inputs)