Savitribai Phule Pune University has barred protests, marches, meetings and demonstrations by political parties, organisations, groups and other persons in its campus, citing disruption to academic activity and the possibility of untoward incidents. The decision, announced through a circular issued by Registrar Dr Prafull Pawar on the basis of a Management Council resolution, has triggered strong opposition from student organisations.
The restriction specifically includes the area around the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, where the university has said meetings and protests will no longer be permitted. The university’s circular states that the campus has increasingly been used for demonstrations on national or broader social issues that are not directly connected with the university.
According to the circular, police authorities had also permitted such gatherings on several occasions. The university said demonstrations involving thousands of participants could create the possibility of incidents on campus and interfere with the academic process. It therefore decided that protests, meetings, marches and demonstrations unrelated to the university would not be allowed within the campus.
The University Students’ Struggle Action Committee, SPPU unit, has condemned the decision and demanded that the circular be withdrawn immediately. The committee has raised questions over the reference in the circular to the Centre for Justice and Peace, Samyak Student Movement and other Shiv-Birsa-Phule-Shahu-Ambedkarite and progressive organisations. It asked whether the same restrictions would apply to organisations associated with the ruling political establishment and demanded a transparent explanation from the university.
The dispute comes amid a wider mobilisation by university teachers and non-teaching employees over what they described as increasing political and social interference, additional workloads and the allegedly humiliating treatment of officials. At a meeting held on the lawn behind the university’s main building, faculty and staff discussed the institution’s recent developments and called for a stronger administrative response to outside influence affecting the university’s academic traditions and reputation.
The employees also said professors and officials should be able to work without fear, with institutional backing and action against improper interference. They clarified that their mobilisation was not aimed at removing Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi, but at protecting the university’s interests.
Gosavi said the rights of students, employees, teachers and officers would be balanced. He said the university would not accept resignations or suspensions under pressure from any organisation, group or crowd, and that legal decisions would be taken only after a complete inquiry. He also said the campus could not be used for programmes or protests unrelated to the university.
The vice-chancellor further said employees would receive the authority required alongside any additional responsibilities assigned to them. He rejected reports that the head of a university hostel had been removed, stating that the official had requested to be relieved after considering the circumstances. The university said it would not compromise on the dignity or fundamental rights of its teachers, staff and students.
The meeting was attended by the vice-chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Parag Kalkar, Registrar Dr Prafull Pawar, department heads, representatives of the non-teaching employees’ association and office-bearers of the university teachers’ organisation. Student groups have sought withdrawal of the circular, while the university’s stated position is that campus activities must remain focused on university-related academic and institutional matters.
