On February 17, 2026, the University of Delhi (DU) banned all public meetings, rallies, demonstrations, and protests across its campus for one month.

The restriction followed a February 14 protest against new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations regarding caste discrimination. That demonstration gained national attention after a popular YouTuber alleged harassment by a student group. Citing the organizers’ “failure to control” the protests, DU issued a formal notice halting all gatherings to ensure “law and order” on campus.

Under the new directive, cultural festivals, press conferences, iftars, and gatherings of five or more people have been canceled. Notably, however, bhajan (devotional singing) clubbing events were allowed to proceed.

Professors reported being required to sign confirmations that university auditoriums, stadiums, and seminar halls would be used “purely for institutional and administrative purposes.” Members of the DU community denounced the move as an attempt to “depoliticize the university” and curb dissent. In a rare show of unity, rival student groups, including the ABVP and NSUI, met with the administration to protest the ban, calling it a direct attack on their democratic rights.

On March 23, 2026, the university notified the community that all protests would need to be submitted for approval by university authorities 72 hours in advance and that only members of the campus community would be permitted to join activities on campus. The notice stated that violators would risk expulsion or police action.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about a higher education institution adopting a policy limiting political and academic expression on campus. While higher education officials have an obligation to ensure the safety of their communities, they also have a responsibility not to interfere with political and academic expression, so long as it is undertaken peacefully and responsibly. Such actions have a chilling effect on academic freedom and university autonomy, and undermine democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/delhi-university-clamps-down-on-protests-imposes-one-month-campus-wide-ban-from-february-17/articleshow/128464872.cms
https://www.financialexpress.com/jobs-career/education/delhi-university-bans-protests-and-public-gatherings-for-one-month-after-ugc-related-unrest/4146107/
https://theprint.in/ground-reports/du-protest-ban-united-student-groups-abvp-nsui-left/2871298/
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hcrefuses-to-stay-du-protest-banquestions-the-necessity-of-such-a-sweeping-restriction/article70736038.ece https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cx26gee482jo