A Pune University student protest over circulars that student organisations say restrict assemblies, marches and freedom of expression brought the administration under pressure, with the university’s management council scheduled to reconsider the issue on November 4.
Student organisations gathered outside the main building of Savitribai Phule Pune University on Monday, with one group beginning its sit-in after noon and other organisations joining after 4pm, according to a report by Pudhari. Representatives of various progressive student organisations raised slogans and demanded answers from the university administration.
The protest focused on circular numbers 316/2024 and 226/2026. The organisations alleged that the circulars impose limits on students’ democratic rights, including their ability to hold protests, meetings and marches on campus. They demanded that the university withdraw the circulars immediately.
The demonstration included slogans targeting the registrar, the management council and the university’s decision-making process. Protesters also demanded the removal of the registrar and called for the withdrawal of the disputed circulars. The slogans continued outside the university’s main building as student representatives pressed the administration to respond.
The University Student Struggle Action Committee had earlier submitted a memorandum to the vice-chancellor, seeking the immediate withdrawal of the circulars. The committee’s objection centres on the effect of the rules on campus demonstrations and public expression, although the report does not provide the full text of either circular or detail the specific restrictions contained in them.
The dispute has also raised a question about the division of authority within the university. Members of the management council were quoted as saying that the decision concerning the protest was taken by the council and could not be changed by the vice-chancellor or pro-vice-chancellor. This places the next formal step with the council rather than the university’s executive office.
The management council is scheduled to meet on November 4. According to the information cited in the report, the council will reconsider the decision related to student protests and decide on a standard operating procedure governing such activity. The procedure is expected to be announced after the meeting.
The immediate outcome of the dispute will therefore depend on the council’s review and the content of the proposed procedure. Until that process is completed, the university administration has not been reported as withdrawing the circulars, while student organisations continue to demand their repeal.
