Pune: Writ Petition Filed to Challenge SPPU’s Eight-Day Protest Notice Rule

A writ petition was submitted on Saturday at the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court, seeking to revoke the Savitribai Phule Pune University's rule that mandates students to seek permission eight days in advance before organizing protests.

In December, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) brought in a rule which made it mandatory students to obtain approval from the university administration at least eight days before holding protests or similar activities. This regulation has faced criticism from student organizations such as the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), and the University Student Struggle Action Committee.

The petition was filed by Avinash Solunke, a law student at ILS College, and Akshay Jain from the Maharashtra Youth Congress, who have formally approached both the university and the State of Maharashtra with their concerns.

Here's what petitioners' say

Akshay Jain, the President of the Media Department at Maharashtra Youth Congress, stated, "This decision directly violates students' rights to freely express themselves. The rule that demands permission eight days before protests is an attempt to silence student voices. We firmly oppose this and have taken the matter to court to ensure justice is served."

SPPU issued a circular on December 30, specifying that any gatherings, sit-ins, protests, or similar activities require approval from the university at least eight days in advance.

The petition claims, "Students have the fundamental right to engage in peaceful protests, which is crucial for democratic participation. The university’s policy undermines this right by imposing a requirement for prior approval, limiting the ability to address urgent matters promptly. For example, an unforeseen crisis, sudden policy changes, discrimination, or university mismanagement may demand immediate action that cannot be delayed for eight days to wait for university approval."

Avinash Solunke, the law student from ILS College, remarked, "This rule restricts students from responding quickly to critical issues. It infringes upon constitutional rights such as freedom of expression and the right to protest. We are pursuing legal action to challenge this regulation and restore students’ rights."