Pune Police denies permission for the CJP protest at Savitribai Phule University

Pune Police have denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest scheduled to be held at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on October 17, against the backdrop of a university decision to prohibit demonstrations over issues unrelated to the institution.The development comes as SPPU’s Management Council has approved a resolution restricting protests, demonstrations, public meetings and rallies on national-level and other broader issues that do not directly concern the university.The decision has drawn opposition from student organisations, which have demanded the withdrawal of the circular, citing concerns over freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.The specific reason cited by Pune Police for denying permission to the CJP protest could not be independently verified. The university’s restrictions, however, have brought the question of holding demonstrations on campus into focus. SPPU RESTRICTS PROTESTS ON NON-UNIVERSITY ISSUESThe university’s Management Council approved the resolution following concerns over repeated demonstrations on campus over issues not directly related to SPPU.According to reports, the proposal was moved by Management Council member Bageshree Manthalkar and seconded by Dr Devidas Waidande. The university administration said such demonstrations could disrupt the academic environment, create security concerns, risk damage to university property and put additional pressure on campus arrangements.The resolution specifically refers to organisations, including CJP and Samyak Vidyarthi Andolan, which have held protests on campus over national-level issues.It states that permission should not be granted for protests, demonstrations, meetings and rallies concerning matters unrelated to the university.Manthalkar said the decision was not intended to stop protests altogether, but to prevent demonstrations on issues unrelated to the institution from disrupting academic activities.STUDENT GROUPS DEMAND WITHDRAWAL OF CIRCULARThe university’s decision has faced opposition from student organisations, including the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee.The group has demanded that the circular be withdrawn and argued that the restrictions could curtail students’ constitutional rights to express their views and assemble peacefully.Committee president Abhishek Shelkar cited Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, which protect freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully, subject to constitutional restrictions.Shelkar also questioned the restrictions on gatherings near the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on the university campus. He argued that the university’s approach was inconsistent with efforts to encourage student participation in democratic activities.The committee has also raised questions about whether the restrictions would be applied uniformly to organisations associated with the ruling party. It has appealed to student groups to unite against the decision.CJP PROTEST AMID DEBATE OVER CAMPUS DEMONSTRATIONSThe denial of permission for the October 17 CJP protest comes amid the wider dispute over whether university campuses should be used to organise demonstrations on national and political issues.The university administration has cited the need to protect academic activities, maintain security and prevent disruption. Student groups, meanwhile, have argued that the restrictions could limit opportunities for peaceful political expression.The police decision and the university resolution are separate developments unless authorities establish a direct link between them.The reasons communicated by Pune Police for denying permission to the CJP protest remain central to determining whether the decision was based on the university’s new policy or other considerations.The dispute is likely to keep the focus on the balance between maintaining order on university campuses and allowing students and organisations to hold peaceful demonstrations on issues beyond the institution.- Ends