Letter addressed to DU proctor calls it a ‘step to curb democratic practices’
Letter addressed to DU proctor calls it a ‘step to curb democratic practices’
Delhi University students on Monday said that Proctor Rajni Abbi’s notice for seeking permission from the office before holding a protest was a move to curb democratic practices in the university.
“Students are never required to seek permission to express their opinion politically and will not continue to seek permission. This notice has come as a form of intimidation to the students of DU who have chosen this university for its democratic nature,” students belonging to various political organizations said in a letter addressed to the proctor.
The university, in a notice, had said that prior notice of assembly/protest/demonstration anywhere in the university is mandatory and though protest/demonstration is a legal right of every individual, prior permission from the proctor’s office is mandatory.
Details of Organizers
The notice also states that the organizers will have to provide details about their college or department, contact number, e-mail address and course name at least 24 hours in advance and will not be liable for any damage to public property. will be held responsible.
“Organizers are required to submit the details of the programmes, including the nature of the programme” [protest, public speech, dharna, GBM, rally etc]Duration, logistics used, list of speakers and expected number of participants,” the notice added.
“The notice sought the organizers to list his many personal and academic details to hold his protest. This move will only discourage students from participating in essential democratic activities due to the fear of their information being recorded,” the students said in a letter to the proctor. He said that this criterion of permission is unacceptable to the student community and they demand immediate quashing of the notice.
The All India Students Association along with other democratic organizations submitted a memorandum to the Dean of Students Welfare against the notice that the students have neither taken permission in the past nor will now. “This notice is only a means to increase surveillance and curb democratic practice on the campus and the DU students unanimously reject it.