PU withdraws 'no-protest' affidavit condition

Amid student protests, which were fuelled by the notification on reforms in the governing bodies — Senate and Syndicate — the Panjab University authorities today announced the withdrawal of the affidavit condition. Under this norm, students seeking admission were asked to submit an affidavit, restricting them from organising or joining protests.

Last week, students started an indefinite hunger strike and launched a massive campaign, “No-protest affidavit”, outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office under the banner of the newly formed Anti-Affidavit Front. Soon after the withdrawal of the condition, the protesting students called off their strike.

“The student agitation at Panjab University has been called off following the university’s decision to withdraw the affidavit/undertaking requirement for students enrolled in first year courses or programmes for the 2025–2026 session. The university authorities informed that the matter has been resolved in the larger interest of students and to ensure that academic activities continue smoothly on the PU campus.

“The agitating students have also agreed to withdraw their legal case related to the issue. The university remains committed to maintaining a constructive academic environment on campus, and continues to encourage open dialogue while respecting diverse views and opinions,” read a statement by the university.

Recently, Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari, along with city Congress chief HS Lucky, had visited the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) general secretary Abhishek Dagar, who was on an indefinite hunger strike. The matter regarding the affidavit condition has been listed at the Punjab and Haryana High Court for November 11.

“The affidavit, introduced earlier this year, sought to curb students’ democratic right to protest by forcing them to sign a declaration restricting their participation in demonstrations and public expression. We are happy that the university has taken back this condition and we are ending our protest,” said one of the protesters.

Students seeking admission to the 2025-26 session were asked to sign an affidavit stating that they will seek prior permission before staging any protest, and that too, only at the designated spot. As per the clause, inserted in the Handbook of Information 2025, PU can debar students from exams or cancel their admission if the guidelines are violated.

ABVP delegation met Secy

New Delhi: A delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) had met Vineet Joshi, Secretary,

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Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, demanding immediate withdrawal of the affidavit.

During the meeting with the Secretary, the delegation also raised the issue of student representation in the University Senate. The members emphasised that student participation in the Senate was crucial for ensuring their voices are heard within the administrative framework.

The Secretary reportedly assured the delegation that the demand would be “duly considered.”

Panjab University Students Union president Gauravveer Singh Sohal said, “The motive behind this affidavit was to suppress students’ democratic rights. From the very first day, the ABVP opposed this decision and even staged a sit-in and gherao outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office. A delegation of the ABVP met the Secretary, Higher Education Department, in Delhi, demanding the withdrawal

of the controversial affidavit, a demand which has now been accepted. The withdrawal of this affidavit is a victory for every student, and the ABVP will continue to work relentlessly for student interests.”

Echoing this sentiment, ABVP’s national general secretary Virendra Singh Solanki said, “Such decisions imposed on students in Panjab University were a direct attack on their freedom and democratic rights. Forcing an affidavit upon students was completely unjust and an infringement of their rights.”

Chandigarh: The affidavit had been challenged before the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Archit Garg, Former Vice President of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC). The petition contended that the affidavit was unconstitutional and violative of the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution. It was argued that no administrative regulation can override these fundamental freedoms or impose blanket restrictions on dissent within an educational institution.