A law student from Panjab University has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging a rule that he says unfairly limits students’ right to peacefully protest on campus.
The student, Parmpreet Singh, says the university forces students to sign an affidavit during admission that requires them to get prior permission for any protests. If they don’t follow this rule, they could face harsh punishments like being banned from campus or barred from exams.
In his petition, filed through lawyers Bharat Bhandari, Vinay Yadav, and others, Parmpreet argues that the affidavit is unconstitutional and violates basic rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution — which protect equality, freedom of speech, and the right to life and liberty.
The petition also points out that the term “genuine grievances” is not clearly defined in the university’s rules, and there is no neutral authority to decide which protests are allowed. This, the student argues, creates a conflict of interest, especially if students want to protest against university decisions.
Parmpreet believes such restrictions are a way to silence student voices, and go against the very purpose of a university — a place where ideas, debate, and critical thinking should be encouraged.
He has requested the High Court to step in and strike down the protest-related clauses in the university affidavit as soon as possible. The petition is yet to be listed for hearing.
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