According to the circular, several incidents of students and student groups entering the departments and other academic areas and staging demonstrations are causing disruption of administrative work and “is giving a wrong perception of the university to the society”.
| Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G
The Osmania University, on March 13, issued a circular prohibiting agitations, protests and demonstrations within its departments, colleges, centres and administrative buildings.
According to the circular, several incidents of students and student groups entering the departments and other academic areas and staging demonstrations are causing disruption of administrative work and “is giving a wrong perception of the university to the society”.
The disruptions are also causing adverse effect on smooth functioning of the university besides security issues.
Accordingly, the circular noted prohibitions on trespassing, staging dharnas and agitations, raising slogans, preventing administrative authorities and staff from discharging their official duties, and using filthy language against university staff and authorities. The circular also noted serious action against violators as per law.
It advised that registered students with grievances first approach the officials concerned at the institution level and then represent to the Registrar and other authorities with prior permission.
‘Detailed clarification’
As follow-up, the university in a clarified response on Sunday stated that its circular does not impose a blanket ban on student protests at open spaces in the university.
“The restrictions apply exclusively to the academic and administrative spaces within college departments and administrative premises,” it said, and added that the aim was to prevent disprutions that interfere with smooth functioning.
It pointed to recent incidents of unauthorised occupation of the principal’s room at Nizam College, disruptive activities at the University College of Arts & Social Sciences, and the forcible occupation of the Registrar’s office for over four hours.
“It is critical to understand that the circular does not infringe upon the fundamental right of students to express grievances. The university remains committed to providing transparent and accessible grievance redressal mechanisms. Students are encouraged to raise their concerns through formal institutional channels,” the clarification stated.
Opposition, bandh
A section of students protested against the circular claiming that it was to suppress the democratic rights of the students to express their views. They have also called a university bandh on Monday against the circular.
Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao also opposed the circular and said the government feared the students and their questions. He demanded that the circular be withdrawn immediately, reminding the seventh promise of Chief Minister A.Revanth Reddy that he would promote free speech in Telangana.
On the other hand, OU research scholar Chanagani Dayakar questioned Mr. Rama Rao’s sincerity reminding how the OU campus had turned into a police camp during the BRS regime.
Published – March 16, 2025 09:15 pm IST