Hyderabad:An office order issued on November 12 by the University of Hyderabad (UoH) registrar has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from student organisations. The order, aimed at regulating the use of posters in hostels, has been labelled an attack on campus democracy and freedom of expression.
The UoH directive followed the discovery of RSS posters in the urinals of Men’s Hostel-H, prompting the chief warden’s office to issue a strongly worded condemnation of the act as “reprehensible, anti-democratic, and dastardly.” The administration’s swift response to this incident was with its silence over earlier acts of vandalism, including the defacement of Palestinian flags and the covering of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s portraits by right-wing groups.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) wing has condemned the new regulations as a blatant attempt to stifle dissent and shield communal interests.
The office order, based on the recommendations of a committee, prohibited students from pasting posters or materials on hostel walls, corridors, or rooms without permission from the chief warden. Violations would invite strict disciplinary action. Additionally, the order called for sensitisation programmes to educate students on cleanliness, the removal of graffiti and posters, and the installation of CCTV cameras. The administration also directed the establishment of designated notice boards for displaying posters, alongside a promise of regular patrolling by security personnel.
Students accused the administration of prioritising repression over governance. “The Chief Warden seems more invested in cracking down on activism than ensuring the smooth functioning of hostels,” said Mohith G., a member of the SFI. The group also criticised the administration for its inaction regarding violence against students earlier this year.
