India, June 23 -- In an unprecedented move, Panjab University (PU) has made it mandatory for first-year students to sign an affidavit, agreeing to seek permission from the varsity before staging any kind of protest on campus. Further, they have been told to stick to the designated protest site - a little-known ground near Gate Number 2 -- for demonstrations. As per the Handbook of Information 2025, PU has the right to debar any student from appearing for exams, cancel their admission or ban them from participating in student elections in case of violations. As expected, the move has triggered fresh protests. Cutting across party lines, students have come together to condemn what they term is an "infringement upon their democratic right to protest". Two students have also moved the Punjab and Haryana high court with a public interest litigation. But the university isn't acting without reason. As per official records, PU witnessed protests on nearly 150 of the total 200 working days last session. While peaceful protest is an important democratic tool, the frequency of agitations, many of which disrupted academics and official events, is a matter of concern. A particularly embarrassing instance was when students protesting the delay in Senate elections burnt the effigy of the Vice-President during his visit to campus last year. Vice-chancellor Renu Vig said, "We are not telling students not to protest. We are only asking them to do it at the designated spot and maintain decorum on campus." But students feel that instead of muzzling their voice, the university should give them space to express their ideas, question authority and engage in meaningful debate. The key lies in striking a balance. Cancelling admissions is not the answer. It does not curb dissent, it only pushes it underground and creates an environment of fear and resentment. What may help is an open dialogue between students and PU authorities....