Progressive student groups to launch 'Save University Democracy' agitation at SPPU from Nov 2

Several progressive student organisations in Pune will start an agitation at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) from November 2. They allege that the administration is restricting students' right to protest and speak freely on the campus. The campaign has been named "Save University Democracy".

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the university on Thursday, October 29. Representatives of several student organisations attended. They said democratic space on the campus is steadily shrinking and that they will raise their voice together against it.

The organisations claim that the university's Management Council passed a resolution in August this year that bars protests, marches and events on issues of national importance. They also cited a 2024 circular. According to them, it says students must seek permission at least eight days before a demonstration and warns of legal action against events held without approval.

Student leaders said such rules will stop students from raising issues linked to their future, such as the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. They also questioned the identity checks at the campus gates and the restrictions on students' entry into the main administrative building. In their view, security arrangements should not come at the cost of an open campus.

The organisations also alleged that events linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and some other groups of a particular ideology are allowed on the campus, while progressive student organisations face obstacles. They have demanded an impartial inquiry into these allegations and equal treatment for all student groups.

Siddhant Jambhulkar, vice-president of the Pune unit of the NSUI, said the university should stand with constitutional values and freedom of thought, but the administration now appears to prefer control over openness. He said students will fight in a constitutional manner and also on the streets. In his words, "No attempt to suppress democracy will be tolerated."

Abhishek Shelke, president of the SPPU unit of the University Students Struggle Action Committee, asked why groups close to the ruling party get permission for events while progressive organisations are stopped. He said the agitation will remain democratic and will stay within the bounds of the Constitution.

Besides Jambhulkar and Shelke, those present at the meeting included Suraj Gaikwad of the Republican Vidyarthi Parishad, Ajay Bansode of the All India Students' Federation (AISF), Pawan Jadhav of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), Pradnyot Gaikwad of the Samyak Vidyarthi Andolan and Dhanashree Lavand of the New Students and Youth Federation. Representatives of other student organisations also attended.

The organisations said the November 2 agitation will focus on saving democratic space on the campus, opposing the ban on peaceful protest, and ensuring respect for students' constitutional rights and freedom of expression.