Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised Delhi University's advisory asking students to stay away from the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar, accusing the institution of threatening students for exercising their democratic rights. The university had issued a public advisory on Thursday, urging students to avoid "unlawful assemblies", which included the Jantar Mantar demonstration demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Responding on X, Gandhi wrote: "How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights?" He further warned the university administration, saying: "Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes."
In its advisory, Delhi University said participation in demonstrations at Jantar Mantar could invite legal action, citing Supreme Court directions regulating protests at the site. It also cautioned that involvement in such gatherings could jeopardise students' safety, academic progress and future career prospects. The university urged students to comply with the law and avoid the protest venue. It also warned against the circulation of misinformation, saying fake and misleading content was being shared online to inflame the situation.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issued a similar advisory on Friday, asking students and faculty to refrain from participating in demonstrations at or around Jantar Mantar. The university also cautioned against irresponsible use of social media, stating that violations could attract legal action as well as disciplinary proceedings under the university's code of conduct.
The advisories have drawn criticism from opposition leaders and public figures.
Actor and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt said suppressing students' voices would only worsen concerns over their safety. "The students' safety is more in jeopardy if their voices are suppressed. If we are truly invested in their future, we must support their right to speak out rather than maintain a conspiracy of silence," she posted on X.
Congress MP and Delhi University alumnus Deepender Hooda also criticised the advisory, questioning its legal basis. "As an alumni of Delhi University and as a law maker myself being a Member of Parliament I totally condemn this misleading and threatening statement from @UnivofDelhi. Which SC ruling has rendered the Jantar Mantar demonstrations/assemblies as blanket 'unlawful' as claimed in this DU statement? Shame on DU for lying to its students," he wrote.
Similar concerns have surfaced at other educational institutions. Earlier this week, IIT Roorkee reminded students, faculty and staff not to participate in political movements or make public political statements without prior permission from the institute. Following criticism, IIT Roorkee clarified that the communication was not a new directive but an annual advisory issued under its existing conduct rules at the start of every academic session.
Meanwhile, a student at IIT Madras claimed on Thursday that the institute's Dean had instructed students to remove Instagram posts expressing support for the Jantar Mantar protest. According to a message shared by a student, their faculty adviser had been called by the administration and students were asked to delete posts, including a solidarity video related to the demonstrations.
