Student groups object as SPPU mandates 8-day notice for protests on campus

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Tuesday held a protest at the main building of the university campus demanding that the circular be withdrawn. It also demanded that the eight-day notice period be reduced to 24 hours. “Savitribai Phule Pune University administration is putting pressure on the students and trying to curb the programmes, activities, meetings and agitations of student organisations,” the group said in a statement.

Rahul Sasane, president of the University Student Struggle Action Committee, said it is the constitutional right of student organisations and political parties to hold agitations or meetings on student issues. “We publicly oppose and condemn the action if the university administration is working to stifle the freedom of expression of students by imposing oppressive conditions. Last year, the highest number of cases were recorded against students and student representatives. Do the university administration and the officiating registrar want to ruin the careers of students,” he asked.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Bhushan Ranbhare, president of the Pune unit of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), said, “If we have to protest against some fee hike or multiple exams being scheduled at the same time, how can we give an eight-day notice? The university should not act in an authoritarian manner.”

Explaining the University’s reasoning behind issuing the circular, officiating registrar Dr Bhakare told The Indian Express, “The resolution was passed by the Management Council because many elements that were not at all associated with the university were creating disturbances on the premises. So it is the duty of the university authorities to maintain law and order.”

“Secondly, the eight-day period was mentioned because it is necessary to understand the root cause behind any protest. The eight-day period allows the administration to study the matter, discuss it with those who want to protest, and then work to solve the problem accordingly,” she added.