New Delhi: The National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, one of the country’s top design schools, has postponed its annual convocation day – scheduled for February 7 – due to “unforeseen circumstances”. This is the first time in the institute’s history that the convocation has been postponed.

Reports pointed out that the chief guest for the convocation was supposed to be well-known dancer Mallika Sarabhai, and that could be why the scheduled event was suddenly postponed. Sarabhai has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has opposed his government’s decision to bring in the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Six top bureaucrats from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry are on NID’s management committee.

Set up in 1961 under an Act of parliament, NID is an autonomous institution under the ministry.

The Sarabhai family has been closely associated with NID since its inception. It was initially set up with the help of the Ford Foundation and Mallika’s parents, dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai and scientist Vikram Sarabhai. Mallika Sarabhai was also on the board of the prestigious institute.

Speaking to The Wire, Sarabhai said, “I received the invitation to be the chief guest four months ago.” The letter was sent to her by the NID board chairman, Jamshyd Godrej. She readily agreed.

However, on February 3, she received a mail saying the event was cancelled. She was not given any reason. She said, “I didn’t ask why.”

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An official announcement made to the students, however, said the 40th convocation is not cancelled but postponed for “unforeseen circumstances”.

The Wire has sent a set of questions to NID director Praveen Nahar, seeking information on why such a sudden step was taken and whether it was due to the invitation sent to Sarabhai to be the chief guest. We also asked whether there was any pressure from the ministry. This report will be updated if Nahar responds.

The NID spokesperson has also reportedly said that the administration is trying to hold the event as per schedule and will likely issue a statement on the matter on February 5.

Last checked on February 5 evening, the NID website still flashed the convocation date as February 7.