Journalism of Courage
The Osmania University (OU), Hyderabad, has banned protests and sit-ins on the university campus as well as its various constituent colleges and their administrative buildings. After the decision has sparked outrage, the university clarified it was not a “blanket ban’
An order issued to all heads of departments, administrative officers and principals of constituent colleges, says: “Osmania University is a highly reputed educational institution meant for facilitating Learning in a conducive and peaceful environment. In recent times, it is observed that there are several incidents of students / student groups have been entering the Departments/ Colleges Centres Administrative Building, Osmania University and staging demonstrations and dharnas resulting in disruption of the administrative work and giving wrong perception of the University to the Society”.
These incidents have an “adverse effect” on smooth functioning of the University leading to delay in administrative and academic progress, the order says.
“On certain occasions, these incidents also raised security issues and concerns,” it says. “The University authorities have viewed the matter seriously and decided to prohibit the following activities in the premises of the Departments / Colleges/Centres / Administrative Building, Osmania University: 1. Trespassing 2. Staging Dharnas and agitations 3. Raising Slogans 4. Preventing administrative authorities and staff from discharging their official duties 5. Using unparliamentary and filthy language against University staff and authorities. If any person is found involved in the above activities, serious action will be initiated against such person as per law,” it says.
It adds that students having “a genuine grievance in the University system, if any, may first approach the concerned Official at the institution level, and thereafter may represent to the Registrar and the authorities, with prior permission”.
The order comes following a spate of protests at the university – the latest being after a razor blade was found in the food in one of the hostel messes. Significantly, the ban has taken many by surprise, especially given that OU, a state university, was the hotbed of political protests during the Telangana statehood movement.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K. T. Rama Rao blamed the Congress government for the development: “The Congress government, which had stalled six guarantees, also failed to secure the seventh guarantee within a year and a half. Issuing orders banning student protests on Osmania University campus is a murder of democracy. The Chief Minister, who claims to provide democratic governance as the seventh guarantee, is cracking down on protests, which is the most evil act,” the post said.
In a press note he later issued, the leader said: “Is this the democratic right of protest that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress claimed to uphold? If Congress truly believed in democracy, why is it resorting to authoritarian measures to silence student voices?”
Following the outrage, the OU issued a clarification saying it was not a blanket ban but only applied to protests in “open areas within the university”.
“The restrictions apply exclusively to the academic and administrative spaces within college departments and administrative premises. The aim of the circular is to prevent disruptions that interfere with the smooth functioning of the university’s academic and administrative processes,” the rejoinder says.
It adds: “Osmania University has a proud history of championing the democratic rights of its students and stakeholders. We recognize and deeply honor the significant role that student movements, including the Telangana agitation, have played in advancing social causes. Our commitment to democratic values and constitutional rights remain unwavering, as these principles are central to our university’s identity and mission”.
