"Don't protest"—that's the message private universities across Gujarat seem to be conveying to their students. A senior professor told me that students at the university where he teaches are required to sign an undertaking promising not to engage in protests. "They simply sign the undertaking and hand it over to the university authorities," he said.
Calling the practice "absolutely shocking," the professor, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, explained that this policy was introduced after several students protested a few years ago on an issue that could have embarrassed the Government of India. While the professor was unsure about the exact issue, an internet search suggests it might have been related to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019.
"The Gujarat government took the matter seriously and instructed university authorities to ensure that no such protests occur in the future. Not only were the protesting students made to sign undertakings, but it was also decided that every student admitted to the university must sign one," the professor revealed.
He emphasized that peaceful protests and freedom of expression are fundamental rights of students. He added, "I learned about this policy when students mentioned it to me, almost gleefully. I was shocked. Not a single student at the high-profile university where I teach has protested against signing such an undertaking."
When asked whether other universities had implemented similar policies, the professor said he was certain they must have done so, speculating that a circular may have been issued to this effect. "Protests are a way of fostering critical thinking—something students must learn. Expressing opinions, whether collectively or individually, is an essential part of education," he remarked.
When I asked for a copy of the circular, the professor said that no student seemed to have retained one or even taken a photograph of it. "They probably just signed it and submitted it without question. Unfortunately, there is no trace of resistance to this policy, not even anonymously on social media. The spirit of opposing injustice seems to have been subdued."
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