All student groups from the university, except right-leaning groups agitated in two groups on Monday against SPPU’s restriction on peaceful protests inside the campus not directly related to the university, recently implemented stringent campus access rules and alleged ideological discrimination at SPPU.
In an official communication to students and the media, the SPPU administration said the contentious circular will be placed before the management council for reconsideration at its meeting expected on Nov 4.
We will continue our struggle through constitutional and democratic means to protect the students’ freedom of expression,” said Abhishek Shelkar, university student struggle action committee (SPPU Unit) president. Prajyot Gaikwad, Samyak Vidyarthi Andolan vice-president said students were not opposed to maintaining discipline on campus. Protesting for student-related issues is not a crime,” he said. The administration should not attempt to confine the voices of students within a framework of restrictions,” said Hansraj Khune, Republican Vidyarthi Sena city president.
“In the meantime, barricades will be removed to ensure that students do not experience any inconvenience. Also, student representatives will be given time to present all our demands to the management council. “The university administration has issued circulars that infringe upon students’ freedom of expression, placing restrictions on their constitutional right to protest and hold demonstrations. Excessive security measures and the installation of barricades have transformed the university’s democratic environment into something resembling a military camp. “However, discipline should not be used as a pretext to suppress the voices of student organizations. “The university administration must realise that students are not merely individuals who sit for exams and earn degrees; they are conscious citizens of this nation. Raising one’s voice against injustice, asking questions, and protesting through democratic means are the constitutional rights of students.
SPPU had earlier issued a circular restricting protests, rallies, and events not directly related to the university on campus. Pune: Student groups at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), barring right-leaning ones, staged two protests on Monday against the university’s ban on peaceful, its newly imposed strict campus access rules, and alleged ideological discrimination. Abhishek Shinde, from SFI said students met the vice chancellor on Monday evening where they spoke about the ‘barracks-like’ atmosphere created by the installation of barricades across the university main building and other areas which the VC promised to remove.