The resignation of noted nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar as Chairman of Board of Governors of IIT Bombay was raised in the Rajya Sabha with Congress alleging government "interference" in the institution and wanting a clarification. Raising the issue during Zero House, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said it was a matter of serious concern that top people from educational institutions were resigning allegedly over differences with HRD Minister Smriti Irani.

He questioned why Kakokdar resigned and what had transpired between the Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay and the Minister, who is chairman of the Search Committee, over the appointment of three new directors as there were reported differences.

Azad said this is not the first time such things have happened and raised previous such instances where R Shevgaonkar resigned as a director of IIT Delhi citing some "unforeseen situations". He also cited instances where differences with Delhi University Vice Chancellor had cropped up last year and questioned why such instances were leading to resignations.