New Delhi, February 17 Following Delhi University's decision on Tuesday to ban public meetings, processions, and protests on campus for a month, several student and teachers' groups have demanded that the order be withdrawn, calling it unconstitutional and anti-student.
Student and teachers' bodies stated that the order violates constitutional rights and that the use of violence against teachers, students, and non-teaching staff by organized groups is being used by the university administration to impose collective punishment on the entire democratic movement.
The Delhi Teachers' Front (DTF) stated that the prohibitory order "is a draconian measure designed not to maintain peace, but to stifle legitimate democratic expression," and argued that it contravenes Article 19 (Freedom of Speech and Expression) of the Constitution.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) termed the move authoritarian in a statement. Its national president, Varun Choudhary, said the decision was a "calculated attempt by the government to crush the democratic spirit of campuses and silence SC, ST, and OBC students who are raising their voices for social justice and equitable implementation of UGC regulations."
The left-backed student group, Students' Federation of India (SFI), Delhi State Committee, stated in a statement, "If the university administration is genuinely concerned about maintaining peace and public order, it must act decisively against those who instigated and carried out acts of violence."
The student group, Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), in a statement, condemned the "shameless notice" and alleged that the administration had cited "very vague and lame reasons" such as traffic disruption. It claimed the order "openly seeks to curb the fundamental right to hold peaceful protests and dissent" and demanded its immediate revocation.
Students said that the campus had recently seen protests over UGC Equity Regulations and anti-discrimination mechanisms. Many expressed concern that the month-long ban would prevent them from gathering to raise academic and equity-related issues.