On August 7, 2024, police used batons to forcibly disperse students protesting outside Rajasthan University (RU).  At least 25 students were detained. 

Several student organizations, including the Jaipur wing of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), gathered inside and outside the RU campus for over five hours to demand student union elections and call for discussions with the RU administration. They then convened outside the main gates of RU campus and continued to protest, including by burning tires and blocking traffic. Police intervened and began beating students with batons, dragging students across the ground, and shoving them into police vans to be detained. 

The protest followed a similar demonstration on July 18 (see report) outside RU. 

Scholars at Risk is concerned by the arrest and use of force by police to disperse students exercising their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly—conduct that is expressly protected by international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. While state authorities have the responsibility to maintain order and prevent disruption, they must refrain from the disproportionate use of force and endangerment of civilians and must respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression.  In addition to the harm to the immediate victims, the use of force to restrict or deter nonviolent student expression undermines academic freedom and democratic society more generally.

Sources: 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rajasthan-university-students-protest-for-union-polls/articleshow/112331486.cms
https://theprint.in/india/students-hold-protests-outside-rajasthan-university-demand-union-elections/2211022/
https://www.patrika.com/special-news/special-news/silver-18899457
https://www.socialnews.xyz/2024/08/06/jaipur-nsui-students-stage-a-protest-demanding-student-union-elections-at-rajasthan-university-gallery/