‘First time in around 25 years prohibitory orders imposed on campus’

On November 1, there were violent clashes between SFI and ABVP student groups resulting in injury and cross FIRs. The next day, an ‘objectionable’ graffiti on PM Narendra Modi was found in one of the hostels. The BJP city unit organised a protest on November 3 where four students of left-leaning group New Socialist Alternative were attacked and injured.

Some student members of Progressive Students Action Committee comprising representatives from SFI, NSUI, New Socialist Alternative, Yuva Kranti Dal and other groups had approached the university and police administration on November 7 for permission to hold a “peace march” in the university on Wednesday. Having been refused permission, the group called off their protest late evening.

A retired official from the SPPU, who among other responsibilities has coordinated with the security team at university in the past, said, “This is for the first time in around 25 years that police have imposed prohibitory orders on the campus and such a request has been sent to the police, as per my knowledge. It is important to note that this order is only for those who are not from the SPPU and does not put any curb on the students. It is highly likely that the step is a result of an input about the possibility of groups of people from outside creating nuisance on the campus. I remember that around 2002, following multiple such protests by the students and employees organisations, the university management had issued an order not to hold protests around a specific radius of the main building which is a heritage structure.”

The order states that a letter in this regard was sent by Registrar Prafulla Pawar to Senior Police Inspector, in-charge of the Chatushrungi police station, which has jurisdiction over the SPPU campus. The order in Marathi says, “The SPPU is a noted educational institution in the country and a large number of students from across India and international students have taken admission here for the quality education. The process of education requires a conducive and peaceful environment. However in the last few days, some persons and organisations from outside the university have organised rallies, protests, agitations on the university campus without the requisite prior permission from the police. Gatherings were also held near statues of some important figures installed on the campus. Many people from outside the university have been called to the campus for these purposes who delivered speeches and chanted slogans. This has not only affected the public peace but has also disrupted the university’s educational ecosystem. This has affected the routine functioning of the institution and has resulted in clashes and physical assaults. Police complaints and FIRs have been registered in this regard.”

The order further reads, “Thus in order to maintain a peaceful environment conducive for education on the SPPU campus issuance of prohibitory orders is deemed necessary. The order will be applicable to the SPPU campus and surrounding area within a 100 metre radius. Those other than students and staff will not be allowed inside campus. Barring students and staff, anyone else will not be allowed to gather in a number of two or more. There will be a ban on holding gatherings, using loudspeakers and publication or dissemination of any provocative material and displaying printed content of this nature. Those found in violation of orders can face legal action under Indian Penal Code 188.”

Section 144 empowers district magistrates and officials with magisterial powers to issue prohibitory orders in urgent cases of possible nuisance or danger to law and order. IPC Section 188 pertains to disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant.