No to free thought? How Gujarat's private universities are cowing down their students

"Don't protest"—that's the message private universities across Gujarat seem to be conveying to their students. A senior professor told me that students at the university where he teaches are required to sign an undertaking promising not to engage in protests. "They simply sign the undertaking and hand it over to the university authorities," he said.

Calling the practice "absolutely shocking," the professor, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions, explained that this policy was introduced after several students protested a few years ago on an issue that could have embarrassed the Government of India. While the professor was unsure about the exact issue, an internet search suggests it might have been related to protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019.

"The Gujarat government took the matter seriously and instructed university authorities to ensure that no such protests occur in the future. Not only were the protesting students made to sign undertakings, but it was also decided that every student admitted to the university must sign one," the professor revealed.

He emphasized that peaceful protests and freedom of expression are fundamental rights of students. He added, "I learned about this policy when students mentioned it to me, almost gleefully. I was shocked. Not a single student at the high-profile university where I teach has protested against signing such an undertaking."

When asked whether other universities had implemented similar policies, the professor said he was certain they must have done so, speculating that a circular may have been issued to this effect. "Protests are a way of fostering critical thinking—something students must learn. Expressing opinions, whether collectively or individually, is an essential part of education," he remarked.

When I asked for a copy of the circular, the professor said that no student seemed to have retained one or even taken a photograph of it. "They probably just signed it and submitted it without question. Unfortunately, there is no trace of resistance to this policy, not even anonymously on social media. The spirit of opposing injustice seems to have been subdued."

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. I don't know who owns this site, for there is nothing on it in the About Us link. It merely says, the Nashik Corporation site "is an educational and news website of the municipal corporation. Today, education and payment of tax are completely online." It goes on to add, "So we provide some of the latest information about Property Tax, Water Tax, Marriage Certificate, Caste Certificate, etc. So all taxpayer can get all information of their municipal in a single place.some facts about legal and financial issues that different city corporations face, but I was least interested in them." Surely, this didn't interest...

Beyond the 'plum' posting: Why the caste lens still defines bureaucratic success

Following my recent blog on former IAS bureaucrat Atanu Chakraborty’s sudden exit as non-executive chairman of HDFC Bank, a few colleagues from the Gujarat cadre — mostly those I interacted with during my Gandhinagar stint (1997–2012) as the Times of India representative — reacted rather sharply. Most of them sent their responses directly on WhatsApp, touching upon on the merits and demerits of Chakraborty’s controversial move. One former IAS officer, a Dalit, however, went further, raising a broader question: why do some officials like Chakraborty secure plum post-retirement assignments, while others are overlooked?

Blaming RTE, not underfunding: Education groups hit back at NITI Aayog working paper

A preliminary working paper by Arvind Virmani, economist and member of the Government of India think tank NITI Aayog, has concluded that the Right to Education (RTE) Act — enacted to guarantee free and compulsory schooling for children between six and fourteen — has actually worsened learning outcomes rather than improved them. The paper, published in March 2026 and reported by The Print on 16 April, has drawn sharp pushback from education rights advocates, who argue it builds a politically motivated narrative against constitutionally guaranteed entitlements.

Comments

Dr,Suhas Kolhekar,Virologist,Health Activist for Social and Climate Justice.January 16, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Universities are ment for nurturing the Critical thinking in Students.Asking for signign like this and mindlessly signing No to Protest,is simply disgusting.What else does one expect from Tadipar's and Feku's Gujarat.NIRMA is simply brainwashing the Youth in Gujarat.Friend wake up soon and protect your Future by saying a BIG NO ro such compulsions.You do have a Constitutional right to Freedom of expression and to express your Dissent from what the Authorities want to impose on you.Rise up.
Mansee Bal BhargavaJanuary 23, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Gujarat Model is 'All iZZ Bhell' model. I see, you see but we don't see. The 'no protest' is a 'no democracy' alias 'autocracy' policy/approach. Students don't care, parents don't care as they need degree to flee abroad. Institutional spaces are the most targeted by the politics and capitalists to silence the society and buy the system. Democracy is dying slow death in India and Gujarat Model is paving its way across India.

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