Savitribai Phule Pune University’s rule challenged in High Court
Maharashtra: The new rule implemented by Savitribai Phule Pune University regarding taking permission eight days in advance to hold agitations, meetings or demonstrations has been challenged by the Youth Congress in the Bombay High Court. It is necessary to take permission from the university administration at least eight days in advance to hold any kind of gathering, meeting, agitation and similar events on the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus, Ahilyanagar and Nashik sub-centre. Appropriate legal action will be taken if a meeting, gathering or event is held without prior permission, a circular was recently issued by the university’s registrar Dr. Jyoti Bhakre.
The decision was taken after discussion in the university’s management council. The decision was referred to the Aurangabad bench of the High Court for decision on the petition. However, the decision was widely criticized and protested. In this backdrop, ILS Law College student Avinash Solanke and Youth Congress media department president Akshay Jain have filed a petition in the High Court challenging the university’s decision. Jain said, ‘This decision directly affects the students’ right to expression. This rule is an attempt to suppress the voice of the students. We have sought an order from the court to withdraw it.’ ‘This rule is a threat to the students’ right to react immediately. This decision threatens the freedom of expression and the right to protest given by the Constitution. Therefore, a petition has been filed in the court to fight this decision in a legal manner and get the students their rights back.’ Meanwhile, there is no information that any petition has been filed in the court against the university’s circular. Savitribai Phule University Vice Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi clarified that further appropriate action will be taken after receiving the information.
