Court Challenges Delhi University's Blanket Protest Ban

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected a request to immediately lift a ban on protests and demonstrations at Delhi University, while it called for responses from both the university and Delhi Police. The court maintained that such a blanket ban contravenes individual rights but insisted on a balance in approach.

The court, led by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, called for responses to a petition filed by law student Uday Bhadoriya challenging the prohibition. The prohibition was reportedly enacted following intelligence of a possible student group clash, leading to a police lockdown on gatherings of more than five people.

Petitioners claim the ban is arbitrary and infringes on fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. The bench highlighted the importance of responsible behavior from students and questioned the need for a separate university order when police restrictions were already in place.