MGAHV Wardha bans student-led events without prior permission; must fulfill two conditions

NEW DELHI: Amid the growing trend of a few universities imposing restrictions on student activities, Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (MGAHV) Wardha, latest to implement such policy, requires students to get prior approval from Dean Students Welfare (DSW) and the Proctor before organizing the event.

In an order dated April 11, the university informed student groups that an independent event in open space such as playgrounds can be organised only after obtaining mandatory prior permission from the DSW and proctor. Additionally, all arrangements will have to be done by the organising student group.

Stating that its auditorium is well-quipped with resources, MGAHV clarified that it will be used for the programmes hosted by the university and “no technical or support staff is permanently appointed in them”.

“When any official program is organized by the university, then staff is deputed from various departments as per the requirement. It is not possible from the administrative point of view to make such arrangements separately for different student groups,” it said.

Events in the memory of great men or on occasions of other educational importance are held at the university level for the entire student community. Any proposal from students for conducting separate events on such occasions will not be considered, the university said, adding that the “their purpose is to make the students familiar with inspiring thoughts and educational values”.

Further, it encouraged students to actively participate in the educational and cultural programmes hosted by the university and urged not to independently submit “separate proposals to use auditorium facilities”.

Also read Game of Thrones on Gandhi Hills: Lessons from MGAHV Wardha’s years of turmoil

‘New version to control freedom of expression’

A research scholar, Rajesh Sarthi, who is also a member of All India Students Association (AISA) took to Facebook to oppose the restrictions imposed on students and termed it “a new version of the old attempt to control freedom of expression in the university campus”.

“The real intention behind words like 'regulation' and 'approval' in the language of the order is to control students, suppress dissent and eliminate ideological diversity,” added. Sarthi was one among the 6 students suspended in 2019 for raising voice against the mob lynching of Muslims and Dalits and against the clampdown in Kashmir.

The question is natural whether this order will also apply to Sangh-backed organizations? Or will only those ideas and groups be stopped which criticize the government? Will the administration show the same strictness on the events related to Sangh and power? There is no assurance of this.

Apprehensive about the latest curbs imposed on students, he said: “This order plays the role of unilateral censorship. Will the students now be able to openly talk about the struggle of heroes like Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar, Phule, Periyar in the university? Will they be able to criticize government policies or question the repression of power? The answer is clear - no.”

He also alleged that the name of the acting registrar Anand Patil, who issued this order, has come up in 53 fake appointments. “These appointments were made during the tenure of Vice Chancellor Rajneesh Shukla, who was accused of sexually exploiting a woman in exchange for a job and he left the job and fled,” he claimed in the Facebook post.