Kashmir university bans free speech after students’ union

The University of Kashmir, in its latest circular, has ordered students not to hold any political or religious debates inside the campus. The circular which was issued by the Chief Proctor’s Office on November 15, said, “Do not involve yourself in such religious and political discussions that may cause hatred for each other.” Copies of the notice have been posted at different places in the campus.

Chief Proctor Naseer Iqbal said the circular was issued in the interest of students who come to the university to study. However, a majority of students on campus believe the “advisory” is aimed at repressing critical thinking of students.

“This is not for the first time we are hearing this. This is very dictatorial and unacceptable and the Kashmir government is doing all this out of frustration,” said a law student wishing to be anonymous. “Student activism has already been banned here. This new circular is an attack on free speech and students’ rights,” added the student.

The circular asks students to “avoid sitting unnecessarily” and whoever “found sitting unnecessarily for more than an hour will be fined or strict action will be initiated against them”. The students have also been advised to “speak softly” and “maintain decency” in the campus.

“This university works as a puppet of the state government and this so-called ‘advisory’ makes it evident, they are not here to foster the idea of critical thinking but to repress it,” said another student.

The Kashmir University Students’ Union (KUSU) was banned by the university in 2009 and the union office was demolished in 2010 following the order of then Vice-Chancellor Riyaz Punjabi.

There has been a shadow KUSU which continues to organise protests and discussions critical of the state government. But they remain anonymous though. But recently, an RTI report revealed that the ban of KUSU was “unofficial” although the deployment of more than 100 policemen within the campus to keep an eye and use force against students’ protests tell a different story.