Student groups object as SPPU mandates 8-day notice for protests on campus

The ABVP held a protest at the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus on Tuesday demanding that the eight-day notice period be reduced to 24 hours.

The circular, signed by SPPU’s officiating registrar Dr Jyoti Bhakare, applies to protests organised at Pune University and its sub-centres in Ahilyanagar and Nashik.(Wikimedia Commons)

Student groups, including the ABVP and the NSUI, have objected to a circular issued by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) on Monday stating that permission for meetings, sit-ins, protests, or similar programmes must be obtained from the university administration at least eight days in advance.

The circular, signed by SPPU’s officiating registrar Dr Jyoti Bhakare, applies to protests organised at Pune University and its sub-centres in Ahilyanagar and Nashik. Any event held without permission will invite action, it said.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Tuesday held a protest at the main building of the university campus demanding that the circular be withdrawn. It also demanded that the eight-day notice period be reduced to 24 hours. “Savitribai Phule Pune University administration is putting pressure on the students and trying to curb the programmes, activities, meetings and agitations of student organisations,” the group said in a statement.

Rahul Sasane, president of the University Student Struggle Action Committee, said it is the constitutional right of student organisations and political parties to hold agitations or meetings on student issues. “We publicly oppose and condemn the action if the university administration is working to stifle the freedom of expression of students by imposing oppressive conditions. Last year, the highest number of cases were recorded against students and student representatives. Do the university administration and the officiating registrar want to ruin the careers of students,” he asked.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Bhushan Ranbhare, president of the Pune unit of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), said, “If we have to protest against some fee hike or multiple exams being scheduled at the same time, how can we give an eight-day notice? The university should not act in an authoritarian manner.”

Explaining the University’s reasoning behind issuing the circular, officiating registrar Dr Bhakare told The Indian Express, “The resolution was passed by the Management Council because many elements that were not at all associated with the university were creating disturbances on the premises. So it is the duty of the university authorities to maintain law and order.”

“Secondly, the eight-day period was mentioned because it is necessary to understand the root cause behind any protest. The eight-day period allows the administration to study the matter, discuss it with those who want to protest, and then work to solve the problem accordingly,” she added.

Soham Shah

Soham Shah is a Correspondent with The Indian Express, based in Pune. A journalism graduate with a background in fact-checking, he brings a meticulous and research-oriented approach to his current reporting. Professional Background Role: Correspondent coverig education and city affairs in Pune. Specialization: His primary beat is education, but he also maintains a strong focus on civic issues, public health, human rights, and state politics. Key Strength: Soham focuses on data-driven reporting on school and college education, government reports, and public infrastructure. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 work highlights a transition from education-centric reporting to hard-hitting investigative and human-rights stories: 1. Investigations & Governance "Express Impact: Mother's name now a must to download birth certificate from PMC site" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant policy change by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following his earlier reports on gender inclusivity in administrative documents. "44-Acre Mahar Land Controversy: In June, Pune official sought land eviction at Pawar son firm behest" (Nov 9, 2025): An investigative piece on real estate irregularities involving high-profile political families. 2. Education & Campus Life Faculty crisis at SPPU hits research, admin work: 62% of govt-sanctioned posts vacant, over 75% in many depts (Sept 12, 2025): An investigative piece on professor vacancies at Savitribai Phule Pune University. "Maharashtra’s controversial third language policy: Why National Curriculum Framework recommends a third language from Class 6" (July 2): This detailed piece unpacks reasons behind why the state's move to introduce a third language from class 1 was controversial. "Decline in number of schools, teachers in Maharashtra but student enrolment up: Report" (Jan 2025): Analyzing discrepancies in the state's education data despite rising student numbers. 3. Human Rights & Social Issues "Aanchal Mamidawar was brave after her family killed her boyfriend" (Dec 17, 2025): A deeply personal and hard-hitting opinion piece/column on the "crime of love" and honor killings in modern India. "'People disrespect the disabled': Meet the man who has become face of racist attacks on Indians" (Nov 29, 2025): A profile of a Pune resident with severe physical deformities who became the target of global online harassment, highlighting issues of disability and cyber-bullying. Signature Style Soham is known for his civil-liberties lens. His reporting frequently champions the rights of the marginalized—whether it's students fighting for campus democracy, victims of regressive social practices, or residents struggling with crumbling urban infrastructure (as seen in his "Breathless Pune" contributions). He is adept at linking hyper-local Pune issues to larger national conversations about law and liberty. X (Twitter): @SohamShah07 ... Read More

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