Students have opened a front against the decision to ban protests in Punjab University (PU) and to make new students fill an affidavit. Two PU students have written a letter to the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Sheel Nagu demanding suo motu cognizance and action in this matter.
The PU administration has implemented a new rule for students taking admission in the new academic session, under which students will have to give an affidavit that they will not participate in demonstrations, dharnas, rallies or any kind of protest programs in the university campus, hostel area (Sector 14 and 25), any college or regional center.
If a student has any complaint and wants to protest, he will have to first take permission from the competent authority. If a student protests without permission, the student can be barred from appearing in the examination. On repeat violation, his admission can be canceled and he can also be expelled from the university.
These conditions in the affidavit
Ban on calling outsiders for any demonstration in the university campus
Ban on carrying any kind of weapon or firearm
In case of violation, the student will be ineligible to contest or participate in elections
University’s recognition can also be canceled if the rules are repeatedly broken
This is against the Constitution
Karan Singh Parmar, who has studied law from PU, and current postgraduate student Abhay Singh have written in the letter that this ban imposed by the university is a blatant violation of Article 19(1)(A) (freedom of expression) and 19(1)(B) (right to peaceful assembly) of the Constitution.
The students said, “The condition that a student will get admission only if he pledges to give up his civil rights is the beginning of a very dangerous tradition.”
The students say that the university is a place where there is a place for democratic thought, dialogue and disagreement. In such a situation, giving up fundamental rights in exchange for getting education is not only unconstitutional but also an attempt to suppress the student community.
