New Delhi, February 17 Delhi University (DU) on Tuesday banned all public meetings, processions, demonstrations, and protests on campus for a month, citing concerns about traffic obstruction, threats to safety, and disturbance of public peace.
In an order dated February 17, DU's office of the proctor stated that the restriction follows information that "unrestricted public gatherings" could escalate and affect law and order. It also referred to a prior direction by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Civil Lines, prohibiting public meetings, carrying torches or similar materials, shouting slogans, and making speeches that may affect public tranquility or traffic flow.
Manoj Kumar, proctor, DU, in a statement said that in the past, organizers often failed to control such protests, which escalated and spread widely, resulting in deterioration of law and order within the university campus.
"The assembly of five or more persons, shouting slogans and making speeches, carrying any hazardous materials, including torches, beacons/torches, etc., is prohibited," the order read.
"The ban takes immediate effect and will remain in force for one month unless withdrawn earlier," the order further stated.
Mithuraj Dhusiya, Associate Professor of English at Hansraj College and a member of the executive council of DU, called the move a "blanket clampdown". While acknowledging that protests must remain peaceful and that the university must ensure order, Dhusiya said that invoking "traffic obstruction" to bar gatherings is unacceptable.
"Is the administration trying to curb mobilizations over issues such as appointments, the implementation of the NEP, the UGC Equity Bill, and the recent suspensions of teachers?" Dhusiya said in a statement and demanded that the order be withdrawn.
He added that the proctor's office cannot unilaterally impose a blanket ban on public meetings.
The order comes after the recent controversies, where two FIRs were registered by Delhi Police last week after a scuffle broke out between two student groups during a protest. On February 12, a bucket of water was thrown on historian Irfan Habib while he was speaking in a social justice programme.
