High Court’s Curbs on PU Protests: Education vs. Agitation?

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 8, 2025, directed Panjab University students to complete the controversial protest affidavit, pending the final verdict on a writ petition challenging its restrictions. The court’s order raises crucial questions about the balance between the fundamental right to protest and the equally vital right to education.

The petition argues that the affidavit’s stipulations unduly curtail students’ freedom of expression and the ability to voice their concerns. The court’s decision to mandate affidavit completion, while the petition remains unresolved, has sparked considerable debate.

This case highlights a growing tension across Indian universities. Balancing the need for maintaining order with the students’ right to dissent is a complex challenge with far-reaching implications for academic freedom and democratic participation. The court’s final ruling will significantly impact how student activism is managed in educational institutions across the nation.