Mumbai University Bans Protests On Campuses Sans Permission

Mumbai University has issued a circular prohibiting any meetings, protests, hunger strikes, or similar activities on its campuses without prior administrative approval.

The varsity's vigilance and disaster management cell warned that failing to follow this rule could result in legal action.

The circular, issued for security reasons and to prevent any untoward incidents, has sparked major backlash from student organisations, who are demanding the immediate withdrawal of what they termed an "authoritarian" move.

The decision was made during a management council meeting on September 12, and the circular was released earlier this week.

It applies to all university campuses, including those in Fort, Kalina, Thane, Ratnagiri, Kalyan's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the university's model colleges.

A university official clarified that no specific incident prompted the order, stating it was purely for security purposes.

Pradeep Sawant, a former senate member and Yuva Sena leader, criticised the circular, calling it an attempt by the state government and university administration to "suppress the voice of students, parents, teachers, and non-teaching staff."

He mentioned that legal action would be considered after the results of the recently concluded senate elections.

Santosh Gangurde of the Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena said the university's authorities "lacked knowledge of the Constitution" and described the circular as a sign the university was moving towards "authoritarian governance" by making such "reckless unilateral decisions." He called for the university to revoke the order.

Earlier this year, similar restrictions on public gatherings without prior approval were imposed by other state universities, including Savitribai Phule Pune University and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.