Panjab University Students Write To HC Chief Justice Against Mandatory Affidavit Imposing Restrictions On Protests On Campus

The students of Panjab University have written a letter to Punjab & Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, seeking suo motu action against the University's move to make it mandatory for new admissions to submit an affidavit, which requires students to obtain prior permission before organizing  protest in the campus.

The clauses in the affidavit include that the student must obtain prior permission from the concerned authority of the university before organizing any protest at the designated area for settlement of "genuine and justifiable grievances from the competent authority."

The affidavit also includes an undertaking that the student will not organize or participate in any protest, dharna, rally, etc., in the residential areas of either campus — i.e., Sector 14 or Sector 25 of Panjab University, Chandigarh — or at any of its constituent colleges or regional centres under the university's control.

Other restrictions includes prohibition of calling outsiders in the campus for the procession or carrying of firearms or weapons.

Violation of the conditions will lead to debarring from appearing in any examination and on repeating the violation, admission shall be liable to be cancelled, stated the affidavit.

On further repeating the violation, entry of the student in any of the campuses under the control of the Panjab University would be banned or he shall be derecognized by the University and ineligible to contest or participate in any election of the University.

Karan Singh Parmar and Abhay Singh both law graduates from the University who are currently pursuing masters have written to the Chief Justice stating that the restrictions imposed are in violation of "fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution".

"The affidavit...Imposes sweeping and disproportionate restrictions on students' right to protest, express dissent, and assemble peacefully," it added.

"The University campus is a cradle of democratic dialogue and critical thought. Conditioning access to education on surrendering basic constitutional freedoms sets a deeply dangerous precedent. Students should not be forced to sign away their civil liberties in exchange for education," stated the letter.