Journalism of Courage
University of Pune late on Saturday night withdrew the implementation of the controversial Ordinance 157 that prohibited students from talking to the media or any other external agency before forwarding the complaint through the head of the institution. The management council and senate members of the university,shocked by the decision,said the controversial amendment was not introduced during any of the decision-making body meetings.
After The Indian Express reported on July 27 about the recent circular issued by University of Pune (UoP),directing students to take permission from the head of the institution,for example the principal of a college,before talking to the media or any outside agency about any issue,the National Students Congress (NSC) threatened protests against the ordinance on Monday on the UoP campus.
The circular,under the title Obligations of Students (Clause 3),states: Every student shall at all times,not lodge any complaint or make any representation regarding any matter relating to the Institution to the Press or other outside institution/agency etc,without forwarding the same through the Head of the concerned Institution.
The UoP had also increased the maximum fine,which a student can be charged for violation of the rule,from Rs 300 to Rs 5,000. The circular states that Any act of a student that is contrary to the provisions of Clause 3 shall constitute misconduct and or indiscipline…
The competent authority,as per the circular,can slap a fine upto Rs 5,000 on a student,suspend or even rusticate him/her,taking into account the gravity of the offence in such a case.
A senior official from the university called up Newsline on Saturday and said,The ordinance was put up by the university with approval from the governor as he is the chancellor of the university. It didnt come from the state government. There was some miscommunication on Friday among the university officials,due to which it was told to the media that the circular had come from the state government.
Senior members of UoP expressed shock at Ordinance 157. This ordinance was not introduced at any management council meeting. We are wondering why this decision was even taken, said Dr Arunkumar Walunj,member of the management council.
Senate member Ashok Kamble also denied having any information regarding the repeal of the ordinance. Any amendment proposed by the management council is discussed by the senate. We never take any decision that goes against the students sentiments. This amendment was not introduced or discussed in the senate, said Kamble.
Asked about who brought out the circular,a top university official said,There is nothing illegal about the ordinance. In 2009,it was passed by the universitys management council; in 2010,a committee was set up and then in 2011,the draft was sent for the governors approval. The vice-chancellor alone is not to be blamed for this. We will clarify everything tomorrow. He further added: The ordinance will be repealed after putting it through proper procedure,but as of now,this ordinance will not be implemented on any student.
