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Pune University students protest against campus demonstration restrictions

Pune, Maharashtra, India · since Nov 2, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 4 and counting, since Nov 2.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Students are protesting against university circulars that they claim restrict their rights to hold demonstrations and meetings on campus.
What they want
The withdrawal of circulars restricting campus protests and clarification on university policies regarding student assemblies.
What changed
Nov 5: Students blocked the Vice-Chancellor's vehicle following a management council meeting that did not result in the circular's withdrawal.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Withdrawal of Circular Nos. 316/2024 and 226/2026
  • Removal of the registrar
  • Clarification on protest permissions

Organised by: University Students' Struggle Action Committee, National Students' Union of India

What authorities say

The university stated the circular does not restrict freedom of expression and that it will consider protest requests positively while ensuring security. Management council members previously indicated they would finalise a standard operating procedure for protests.12

The full story

Student organisations at Savitribai Phule Pune University have been protesting against circulars that allegedly restrict freedom of expression and collective action on campus. The University Students' Struggle Action Committee and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) are among the groups involved. Protesters demand the revocation of specific circulars and have questioned the administration regarding permissions granted for other events on campus. On November 5, tensions escalated when students blocked the Vice-Chancellor's vehicle after a management council meeting failed to address their demands. Students also alleged that police used force against them during the confrontation. The university administration stated that the circulars are not intended to restrict expression and that they will process protest requests positively while maintaining security. The situation remains ongoing as students continue their advocacy for democratic rights.

Timeline

  1. Students blocked the Vice-Chancellor's vehicle and alleged police used force against them following a meeting with university officials.2

  2. The university management council met to discuss the disputed circulars and the development of a standard operating procedure for protests.1

  3. Student groups began staging sit-ins outside the university main building to protest against restrictive circulars.1

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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