Savitribai Phule Pune University has restricted political parties, organisations, groups and other entities from holding protests, demonstrations, meetings and marches on campus over national or broader issues that are not directly linked to the university, prompting opposition from most student organisations in Pune.
The circular, dated October 14, cites potential law-and-order incidents, disruption of the academic environment, damage to university property and interference with educational activities as reasons for the restriction. The decision follows a resolution passed by the university’s Management Council on August 25, 2026.
The order has triggered criticism from student groups, which have sought its immediate withdrawal and argued that the university should remain a space for democratic discussion and peaceful protest. Pawan Jadhav, treasurer of the Students’ Federation of India’s university unit, said students should be able to raise issues such as unemployment, inflation, caste discrimination and gender inequality.
“A university is not merely a place to earn degrees; it is a space that nurtures critical thinking, social awareness, democratic values, and social responsibility,” Jadhav said. He described the restriction of peaceful protests in the name of law and order as an infringement of students’ democratic and constitutional freedoms and called for dialogue with student organisations instead of blanket restrictions.
Rahul Sasane, an Ambedkarite activist, questioned the reference to CJP and other protests during the Management Council meeting that preceded the circular. He alleged that the restrictions could disproportionately affect Ambedkarite and progressive student organisations, while organisations associated with right-wing ideologies were being allowed greater space. The university administration’s position on that allegation was not included in the report.
Siddhant Jambhulkar of the National Students’ Union of India also demanded the withdrawal of the resolution and a written explanation of the legal provisions and authority under which the restrictions were imposed. He referred to protests concerning paper leaks and student issues, and questioned whether different types of campus programmes and demonstrations were being treated equally.
The dispute places the administration’s stated concerns about campus functioning alongside student demands for access to university space for public and student issues. The circular permits protests on matters directly concerning students, according to ABVP’s response, but bars demonstrations considered unrelated to the university.
ABVP supported the restriction on protests over issues it described as irrelevant to the university. Radhey Bahegavankar of ABVP said students retain the right to protest peacefully on matters directly concerning them, but argued that demonstrations unrelated to the university should not be allowed to disrupt academic activities and institutional functioning.
The university has not, in the material cited in the report, announced a separate consultation process with student organisations or clarified the specific legal provisions underpinning the circular. Student groups have called for the administration to withdraw the resolution and provide a written explanation.
