Pune: Progressive Student Organisations Announce ‘Save University Democracy’ Agitation at SPPU From November 2
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Pune, 29th October 2026: Progressive student organisations have announced a united agitation against the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) administration, alleging restrictions on peaceful protests, curbs on students’ freedom of expression and ideological discrimination on campus. The ‘Save University Democracy’ agitation will begin on November 2.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the university on October 29, attended by representatives of several student organisations. The groups resolved to collectively oppose what they described as the shrinking of democratic space and the suppression of students’ constitutional rights.
The organisations alleged that the university’s Management Council passed a resolution in August 2026 restricting protests, marches and programmes on national-level issues. They also referred to a circular issued in 2024 that reportedly required students to seek permission at least eight days before organising protests and provided for legal action against unauthorised events.
Student representatives said the restrictions could prevent students from raising concerns about issues affecting their future, including alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. They also questioned the university’s entry restrictions, including identity checks at campus gates and controls on students’ access to the main administrative building.
The organisations argued that security arrangements should not compromise the university’s openness and democratic environment. They also alleged that programmes associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and particular ideological groups were being permitted, while progressive student organisations faced restrictions. The groups demanded an impartial inquiry into these allegations and equal treatment for all student organisations.
‘We will not tolerate attempts to suppress democracy’
Siddhant Jambhulkar, NSUI Pune vice-president, alleged that the university administration was prioritising restrictions over democratic values.
“Universities are expected to uphold constitutional values, democracy, freedom of thought and social justice. However, the current approach of the SPPU administration appears to prioritise restrictions and repression. Allegations of curbs on protests, strict controls on students’ entry and differential treatment based on ideology are serious concerns,” Jambhulkar said.
He further warned that student organisations would unite against what he described as an authoritarian system.
“We will fight this repression through constitutional means and democratic struggles on the streets. Our struggle will continue to protect the democratic space on campus, students’ rights and freedom of expression. We will not tolerate any attempt to suppress democracy,” he said.
Abhishek Shelke, president of the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee’s SPPU unit, questioned the alleged differential treatment of student organisations.
“If cultural organisations associated with the ruling party are allowed to organise programmes at the university, why are progressive student organisations facing restrictions on their protests? Why are there different rules and different standards of justice?” Shelke asked.
He said the organisations would continue their struggle through democratic and constitutional means to safeguard students’ rights and freedom of expression.
The meeting was attended by Siddhant Jambhulkar of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), Suraj Gaikwad of the Republican Vidyarthi Parishad, Abhishek Shelke of the University Students’ Struggle Action Committee, Ajay Bansode of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), Pawan Jadhav of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Prajyot Gaikwad of Samyak Vidyarthi Andolan and Dhanashree Lavand of the New Students and Youth Federation, along with representatives of other student organisations.
The participating groups said the November 2 agitation would focus on protecting democratic space on campus, opposing restrictions on peaceful protests and ensuring that students’ constitutional rights and freedom of expression remain protected.
