

PUNE: The University of Pune (UoP) on Saturday withdrew a circular posted on its website which restricted its students from making any representation to the media. "Once objections were raised, we immediately stopped the implementation and removed it from the university's website," said vice chancellor W N Gade on Sunday.

However, students, their organizations and activists are aghast that such an order was issued and appeared on the website.

The circular was an attack on the 'freedom of expression' and raised doubts about the intentions, said students' organizations and civic activists. They wanted the government and the UoP to give reasons for such an order and the names of persons involved in issuing it.

The state government on Saturday had also taken serious exception to the order that supposedly banned students from approaching the media or any "outside agency" to air their grievances. The circular on the university website warned that violation of the rule may lead to rustication and a fine of up to Rs 5,000.

The university order stated: "The students shall not lodge any complaint or make any representation regarding any matter connected with the institution to the press or other outside institution/agency without forwarding the same through head of the concerned institution."

Education minister Rajesh Tope had said on Saturday that the government had issued no instructions to the effect and that the university had made a mistake. "The government cannot pass such a notification that curbs students' rights," he said. "It was displayed only on the Pune University website and, after it was brought to our notice, was withdrawn," he added

Civic activist Vijay Kumbhar said the circular could restrain students from expressing their views. "Such a move was not expected from the UoP. It seems that students whether in campus or anywhere else would not be allowed to enjoy their constitutional rights. Let UoP clarify now that how and why the circular was issued," said Kumbhar.

Nationalist Students' Congress (NSC) on Sunday said that the university cannot restrict students from expressing their views. The administration should not dictate terms. In fact, it should take students into confidence and discuss issues to find solutions. It demanded that the university announce the names of officials/persons who had drafted the circular.

Executive president of NSC's Pune unit Ameya Jagtap said, "The UoP cannot trespass students' rights. We will oppose such moves. A rally was planned in the university on Monday against the circular that had raised questions over freedom of expression. We also discussed it with the state higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope. After vehement protests, the UoP withdrew the controversial circular on Saturday night."

Ashish Sable Patil of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena students' wing said, "The circular is a complete mess. UoP cannot set such agenda which restrict students from expressing their views." Sable Patil said a letter had already been given to the vice chancellor to withdraw the circular.

"The order should be removed immediately," said Ganesh Ghosh of Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha.

