Delhi University imposes a month-long ban on protests, rallies and gatherings on campus from February 17, citing ongoing law and order concerns after violent clashes during demonstrations over the now-stayed University Grants Commission’s equity regulations.
The University of Delhi has issued a one-month ban on all public meetings, protests, processions and demonstrations across its campuses, effective 17 February 2026, as authorities seek to contain tensions that have erupted over the controversial University Grants Commission (UGC) Equity Regulations 2026.
The order, promulgated by the office of University Proctor Prof. Manoj Kumar Singh, prohibits assembly of five or more people, slogan-shouting, meetings, rallies and similar activities on university grounds.
In a notification seen by The News Mill and other independent outlets, the administration said the measure was taken following inputs including from police that “unrestricted public gatherings” could obstruct traffic, threaten human life and disturb public peace on campus. It stressed that some recent protests spiralled into confrontations that hindered normal academic life and campus safety.
The order reiterates similar provisions outlined earlier by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Civil Lines subdivision, under directives linked to a Ministry of Home Affairs notification. It remains in force for a month unless reviewed or withdrawn earlier.
Violence and Counterclaims: What Sparked the Ban
The ban comes against the backdrop of violent clashes during demonstrations on 13 and 14 February near the Arts Faculty and North Campus zones, where student groups had assembled to protest in support of the UGC’s equity rules.
These regulations were framed to strengthen mechanisms for addressing caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions including mandating equity committees, helplines and monitoring frameworks but have been mired in controversy since their notification.
Students aligned with organisations like the All India Students’ Association (AISA) took to the streets calling for immediate and full implementation of the equity regulations, which they say are critical to protecting marginalised students.
However, others, including some general category students, raised objections to specific provisions and the Supreme Court subsequently stayed the regulations on the ground that certain clauses could be vague or misused.
During these protests, skirmishes broke out between rival student groups, with each side levelling serious accusations against the other. In particular, a female journalist and content creator, Ruchi Tiwari, alleged she was assaulted while covering a demonstration a claim that triggered an inquiry by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and led to notices being issued to both the Delhi Police and the DU Vice-Chancellor.
Students and activists on social media shared videos of the confrontations, showing heated exchanges, shoving and clashes between groups. Multiple first information reports (FIRs) were filed by Delhi Police after complaints from both sides. Authorities have said investigations are underway.
Official Rationale and Administrative Comments
In defending the ban, Proctor Manoj Kumar Singh told The Indian Express that the order was intended as a temporary, precautionary measure to restore calm and prevent further escalation on campus. He said the administration did not want issues around protests to deepen divisions among students or disrupt academic routines.
The notification explicitly cited patterns from prior protest activity, where organisers allegedly failed to control crowds and de-escalate confrontations, leading to wider disruption. The ban not only prohibits protests, meetings and rallies but also makes clear that assembly of any group that could affect traffic and peace will not be permitted.
Policing authorities echoed these concerns, pointing out that the previous scuffles had spilled beyond internal campus boundaries and drew law enforcement involvement including cross-FIRs and public safety considerations.
Pushback from Students, Faculty and Rights Groups
The decision has been met with sharp criticism from multiple quarters. Student organisations such as AISA described the ban as a blanket clampdown on democratic expression, arguing that it disproportionately targets peaceful protest and stifles legitimate dissent on issues of equity and inclusion.
In its statement “Reject Arbitrary Curfew Imposed in Delhi University!”, AISA condemned the administration’s move as deepening the crisis rather than addressing the root causes of unrest.
Sections of faculty, including the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), have echoed similar concerns, characterising the ban as “undemocratic” and a violation of constitutional rights. They argue that while law and order is a legitimate concern, a blanket ban on assembly fails to differentiate between violent conduct and peaceful discourse.
Rights groups and academic commentators have also noted that curbs of this nature risk eroding the culture of open debate and academic freedom that universities are meant to foster. Several critics have called for structured dialogue and mediated platforms where concerns about policy, equity and student welfare can be aired constructively.
Policy Context
The protests that precipitated the ban are rooted in deeper disagreements over the UGC’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. These regulations, notified earlier this year, aimed to build on older frameworks by mandating stronger institutional mechanisms to tackle caste-based discrimination a long-standing challenge in Indian higher education.
However, several groups opposed specific provisions, terming them either overly broad or favouring certain categories at the expense of others. Within weeks, multiple petitions reached the Supreme Court, which chose to place the regulations on hold pending detailed examination, citing vagueness and potential misuse.
This legal uncertainty has compounded tensions on campuses nationwide, as student bodies differ sharply on how equity and inclusion should be operationalised, and what mechanisms would best protect vulnerable learners while safeguarding rights for all.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At a time when academic spaces should be centres of respectful debate and intellectual exchange, the developments at Delhi University remind us how deeply policy, identity and democratic expression intersect in higher education. Safety and peace on campus are undeniably important, but so too is the right to peaceful protest and robust dialogue especially on issues like equity, discrimination and student welfare.
Blanket bans may offer short-term stability, but they risk undermining the very culture of discourse that universities exist to nurture. Our institutions must work harder to create structured avenues for engagement where students, faculty, administrators and civil society can exchange views without fear or intimidation
