Chandigarh: Panjab University (PU) has stirred a major controversy by making it mandatory for new students to sign an affidavit pledging not to hold protests without prior administrative approval. The move has triggered strong backlash from students, who allege it crushes their constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.

Law students  leading the opposition, have written to the Punjab & Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, seeking suo motu intervention. 

What Does the Affidavit Say?

New students have to mandatorily sign an affidavit which requires them to seek university permission before organizing any protest.

Protests can only be held in designated areas and must relate to "genuine and justifiable grievances" approved by authorities.

The new rule puts complete ban on demonstrations in residential areas (Sector 14 & 25 campuses) and affiliated colleges. No outsiders allowed in protests; carrying weapons strictly prohibited. Upon violation of the rules, there is provision of debarment from exams for first-time offenders while the University can cancel admission or implement campus ban for repeated violations.

Students claim this as an attack on their Fundamental Rights. Law students Karan Singh Parmar and Abhay Singh, leading the opposition, have written to the Punjab & Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, seeking suo motu intervention. They argue the policy violates:
Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of speech & expression
Article 19(1)(b) – Right to assemble peacefully

"The affidavit forces students to surrender constitutional freedoms for education. A dangerous precedent!" the students said.

Student organizations and human rights activists have criticized this policy, calling it an "attempt to suppress student voices". Students have demanded intervention from the High Court and are preparing for a massive agitation if no action is taken soon.

The campus of Panjab University is spread across an area of 550 acres in sectors 14 and 25 of the city of Chandigarh. The university has 78 teaching and research departments and 15 centres/ chairs for teaching and research at the main campus located in Chandigarh. PUCHD also offers infrastructural facilities such as smart classrooms, a health centre, a bank, a shopping centre, a post office, a gymnasium, botanical gardens, a swimming pool, well-maintained parks, sports grounds, guest houses, an open-air theatre, a faculty house, seminar complexes, alumni house, community centre and much more. There are a total of 17hostels (nine for girls and eight for boys) to accommodate over 6,700students. PU is also comprised of a working-women hostel with a capacity of 70 residents.