New Delhi: Delhi University on Tuesday banned rallies, marches and protests on campus for a month, citing law and order concerns days after clashes over new equity guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission.The order was issued by the DU proctor following a face-off between student groups during protests demanding implementation of the UGC’s fairness regulations, which have been stayed by the Supreme Court.“This order is issued in light of information received that unrestricted public gatherings, processions or demonstrations on campus may cause traffic obstruction, endanger life and disturb the public peace.” In the past, organizers have often failed to control such protests, resulting in them escalating and spreading widely and worsening law and order on university campuses. “The notice said.The order prohibits any public meeting, assembly, dharma, protest or agitation; gathering of five or more people; carrying dangerous materials such as mashaals, beacons or torches; shouting slogans or delivering speeches; and engaging in activities that disturb public peace or traffic order.Tensions arose on Friday as rival student groups accused each other of violence and intimidation during a protest in support of the UGC’s fairness code. The left-backed students union AISA said some students were allegedly threatened and casteist abused by members of rival groups, ANI reported.The ABVP refuted the claims, claiming that a female journalist associated with a YouTube channel was attacked by left-wing pro-activists. According to ANI, the journalist claimed that she was targeted by the mob. “The whole crowd came towards me and attacked me. This is clear in the video. Around 500 people attacked me. They just made up narratives and accusations. Girls around me whispered rape threats in my ear just because I was a Brahmin; this is what they said: ‘aaj tu chal, tera nanga parade niklega’.“Earlier, DU vice-chancellor Yogesh Singh appealed for calm. “I request all the teachers and students of Delhi University to maintain harmony. Not to engage in any activities that aggravate mutual discord and harm the image of the country and the university. The incident that happened at Delhi University yesterday is worrisome. Students from all states and communities of India study in the university. Social harmony is the greatest thing and maintaining it is the responsibility of all of us. ” he said in a statement shared on the UniversityX account.On January 29, the Supreme Court had stayed the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2026, holding that Section 3(C), which defines caste-based discrimination, is “totally vague” and can be misused. “The language needs to be revised anew,” the court said, adding that the UGC provisions of 2012 will continue to apply for now.The new rules have been introduced to curb caste-based discrimination and require higher education institutions to set up special committees and helplines to handle complaints from students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Class categories.
