On Sunday night, a revised ‘undertaking’ was released, following the strong objections from the student groups regarding the ‘affidavit’ released by the University of Hyderabad asking new students to sign it and refrain from partaking in protests.
The earlier affidavit prohibited students from participating in protests and demonstrations, criticizing the administration on social media, disrupting classes or obstructing activities on campus, besides reserving the right to take disciplinary action against those flouting the rules, drew a lot of flak from the student community.
“The students union had filed a petition regarding the affidavit. The committee looked into a number of codes of conduct of various national and international universities and came up with something, as directed by the vice chancellor, that has wider acceptability,” said a professor.
Vinod Pavarala, the university spokesperson said, “The undertaking was prepared after deliberation by a committee. We have decided to not call it an affidavit anymore because it brings a legal angle. An undertaking is common in departments.”
The admissions at the University began from July 10 and the administration said that all fresh students had signed only the new undertaking.
“After the continuous and strong objection put up by the Students’ Union and the other progressive organizations, the administration was forced to roll back the affidavit in the form of Annexure 3 and replace it with a positively modified one, now as an undertaking. Students Union thanks the student community and all the progressive organizations who stood together and fought this forceful implementation,” a statement read.
