Opposition slams DU advisory as students defy warning, protest reaches campus

New Delhi: A political storm erupted on Friday after the University of Delhi (DU) advised students and faculty to stay away from protests at Jantar Mantar, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and several opposition leaders accusing the university of attempting to suppress democratic dissent.

The controversy intensified as students gathered outside the Arts Faculty on the North Campus in response to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) nationwide call for protests, signalling that the student-led movement had spread beyond Jantar Mantar despite the university's advisory.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi criticised the university's warning, saying, **"How dare you threaten students for exercising their democratic rights? Please note, you are the ones that will be held accountable when the time comes."**

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor described the advisory as "utterly appalling", drawing parallels with the student movements of the 1970s.

"Even in the days of the JP Movement leading up to the Emergency, there was no bar by the @UnivofDelhi on students joining any of his protests," Tharoor said, adding that universities should encourage "critical thinking and independent assessment of issues, not stifle these very qualities."

He said DU's warning could have a "chilling effect on democratic speech and expression", arguing that many students would fear adverse academic or professional consequences for participating in demonstrations.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the Centre, alleging that universities were being used to intimidate students.

"Students are on ground zero, because Modi Govt is now using these much-respected universities as propaganda outlets to bully them. Instead of making Dharmendra Pradhan resign and then start a meaningful discussion on the Education System, Modi-Shah have resorted to denigrating our centres of learning," Kharge posted.

RJD MP and national spokesperson Manoj Kumar Jha said the essence of a university lay in its freedom of thought.

"A university is never defined by its buildings but by its freedom to think, question, and dissent. Strip away that spirit of free inquiry and critical engagement, and what remains is only concrete... not a university," he said.

The criticism followed an advisory issued by the University of Delhi urging students and faculty to avoid "any unlawful assemblies or demonstrations" at Jantar Mantar, warning that participation could invite legal action and adversely affect their academic progress and professional opportunities. The university also cautioned students against misinformation circulating on social media and urged them to prioritise their safety and comply with the law.

The advisory cited the Supreme Court's directions regulating demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

Other central universities issued similar advisories.

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) urged members of its academic community to refrain from participating in gatherings at or around Jantar Mantar, advising students to prioritise personal safety, exercise restraint on social media and comply with the university's code of conduct.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in a detailed appeal issued at the start of the new academic session, asked students to remain focused on their education and avoid activities "not in keeping with the law". The university said it remained committed to protecting students' academic futures and urged them to exercise sound judgement, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance that the interests of students would be safeguarded.

Despite these advisories, students assembled at Delhi University's Arts Faculty on Friday in response to the CJP's nationwide call for protests, reflecting the growing reach of the Gen Z-led movement that began at Jantar Mantar over demands for accountability in the examination system. The demonstrations have continued to gather momentum even as universities and authorities appeal to students to stay away from protest sites.

Tags : Delhi University, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress, Shashi Tharoor, RJD, Protest, Jantar Mantar, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia