Even Emergency era saw no such warning: Tharoor slam DU over protest advisory

Shashi Tharoor criticised Delhi University's advisory asking students and faculty to avoid protests at Jantar Mantar. His intervention has sharpened the debate over campus autonomy, democratic speech and the role of universities during public protest.Shashi Tharoor supports students' in their protest, says democracy is not sustained by enforcementCongress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday criticised the University of Delhi (DU) over its advisory asking students and faculty members to stay away from protests at Jantar Mantar, saying such a warning has a "chilling effect" on democratic speech and expression. In a strongly worded post on X, Tharoor described the advisory as "utterly appalling" and argued that universities should encourage critical thinking rather than discourage participation in democratic processes.Tharoor's remarks came a day after Delhi University advised students and faculty members to stay away from demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has been leading protests demanding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over the NEET-UG paper leak and other examination irregularities.The agitation, underway since June 20, escalated since July 20 when thousands of protesters gathered for a 'Chalo Sansad' march during the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon Session. Police used tear gas and lathi-charge to stop demonstrators from marching towards Parliament, triggering clashes that left several protesters and security personnel injured.'NO SUCH BAR EVEN DURING JP MOVEMENT'Drawing a comparison with the period leading up to the Emergency, Tharoor said there was no attempt by Delhi University to prevent students from participating in protests during the Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) Movement. "Even in the days of the JP Movement leading up to the Emergency, there was no bar by the University of Delhi on students joining any of his protests," Tharoor wrote. He recalled that members of his students' union cabinet at St Stephen's College, including the late journalist and politician Chandan Mitra, had openly taken part in the movement without facing such restrictions.'CHILLING EFFECT ON DEMOCRATIC SPEECH'Tharoor said the university's warning could intimidate students, particularly those who are not in a position to disregard official advisories. "If one of India's foremost public universities is allowed to threaten its students and faculty with significant consequences if they attend a protest, it has a chilling effect on democratic speech and expression," he said.He argued that many DU students could fear adverse academic or professional consequences if they chose to attend the demonstration."A university is meant to teach critical thinking and independent assessment of issues, not to stifle these very qualities," Tharoor added.The Congress leader also criticised those responsible for issuing the advisory, saying they were "unworthy of holding any position at an institution of higher learning in a democracy."WHAT DELHI UNIVERSITY SAIDIn its advisory issued on Thursday, Delhi University urged students and faculty members to stay away from "unlawful assemblies or demonstrations" at Jantar Mantar, saying such gatherings are regulated under Supreme Court directives."Dear students and faculty, your safety matters to us," the university said, warning that participation in such demonstrations could invite legal action, pose risks to personal safety, and adversely affect students' academic progress and professional opportunities.The advisory also cautioned against fake and misleading content circulating on social media and urged members of the university community to comply with the law and prioritise their safety.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Jul 24, 2026 18:01 IST