In response to escalating tensions between student organizations and political parties at Savitribai Phule Pune University, the administration, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr Parag Kalkar, has taken proactive steps to launch a reconciliation initiative. The goal is to foster dialogue, understanding, and harmony on campus by engaging in discussions with various stakeholders, including student unions, faculty, staff, and the Pune Police Commissioner.
The initiative follows a recent clash between activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Student Federation of India, resulting in police complaints and further tensions fueled by a controversial message about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a university hostel wall. The situation escalated to the point where a curfew was imposed by Pune Police within the university premises from November 7 to 21.
Dr Parag Kalkar, in a press release, highlighted the shared responsibility of maintaining academic sanctity, fostering freedom of thought, and preserving harmony within the university. A crucial meeting has been scheduled at the Dnyaneshwar Auditorium in the main university building on Saturday morning at 11 o’clock. This meeting will bring together student representatives, the Vice-Chancellor, and the Police Commissioner to discuss and implement comprehensive measures.
All organizations involved are invited to send three to five representatives to contribute to the dialogue and reconciliation efforts. The university administration aims to create an atmosphere of open communication and understanding to address the root causes of recent tensions and prevent their recurrence in the future.
