PU moves dist court for banning protests near offices, VC house
The Panjab University has moved the Chandigarh district court to issue directions for restraining all major student organisations, their office-bearers, members and supporters to not hold demonstrations, meetings, dharnas, gheraos and raise slogans within a radius of 500m from the boundary wall of offices of the VC and Dean University Instruction.
The university has also sought ban on Students Organization of Punjab (SOPU), Students Organisation of India (SOI), All India Students Organisation (ASA), Ambedkar Students Association and Progressive Students Union (Lalkar) and SATH Panjab University. The court has issued notices to all student organisations for filing the replies on November 28.
In the petition filed before the court, the PU has sought permanent injunction in this regard. Besides, it has also sought a similar ban near the administrative block located in Sector 14 and their offices located in Sector 25, Chandigarh, as well as residences of the VC, Dean University Instructions and Registrar, on blocking roads, obstructing egress and ingress of employees and from causing any damage to persons and properties.
After hearing the arguments, the court in the order said that, “On reading the contents of the complaint and documents annexed with it, the court is of the view that it is appropriate to hear the opposite party before granting any stay in favour of the plaintiff. Accordingly, a notice be served on defendants for November 28.
The university said that the protests held by the organisations were disturbing its normal functioning. It claimed that the protests also pose a significant risk to public safety and the properties of the university.
The university had earlier claimed that there was a designated area near the university dispensary for protests, but various organisations were instead holding demonstrations near of the offices of the VC and deans.
