Student unions oppose PU’s suit seeking ban on protests outside VC, dean offices

Various student organisations of Panjab University have opposed the civil suit filed by the varsity seeking a ban on holding all forms of protests within a 500-m radius of the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Dean University Instruction’s offices.

In the replies filed before the court, various unions claimed that the varsity has submitted wrong facts before the court to get a favorable order. PU, they said, tried to paint “peaceful assembly” in the wrong manner, thereby attacking fundamental rights provided under Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

“The students at times raise genuine, legal and lawful demands and issues and assemble peacefully to draw the attention of the varsity authorities,” Terminder Singh, the advocate appearing for two unions said, emphasising on the right of free speech and peaceful assembly.

“The nature of the present suit is directly going against the spirit of the Constitution and hence liable to be dismissed.

The university in the suit filed before the court sought permanent injunction restraining defendants, office bearers, their members and supporters of from holding any demonstration, meeting, dhara, gherao, raising slogans within a radius of 500 meters from the boundary walls of offices of V-C, the DUT,” he added.

Among the union opposing the suit are the Students Organization of Punjab (SOPU) , the Students Origination of India ( SOI), the All India Students Organization (ASA), the Ambedkar Students Association and Progressive Students Union (LALKAR) and the SATH Panjab

University.

PU, meanwhile, has claimed that there is a designated area near the dispensary to stage protests. The student organisations, accdording to the varsity, are not holding demonstrations near the designated place, instead assembling at the V-C and DUI offices,

causing annoyance and

disturbance.