Elocution competition on theme “Voice of Devendra” at Savitribai Phule Pune University cancelled after protests

Savitribai Phule Pune University

An elocution competition based on the theme "Voice of Devendra" at Savitribai Phule Pune University has been called off following protests by the student union and activists.

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and other student activists objected to the university for allowing the competition, alleging it aimed at promoting an individual along with pushing a particular ideology.

Following the uproar over "Voice of Devendra," which protestors claimed was based on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, university officials stated that the scheduled program has been cancelled. "The university has no role as it had not organised the competition. It was a Nashik-based organisation that planned the event on campus. We have cancelled the program," one of the officials told the media.

Meanwhile, student activists opposing the event said the campus is not the place for such activities. "Politics should be kept out of student campuses. It can be done outside the university. If at all someone wants to hold any events, they should be educational, informative, and based on merit, not to promote any particular leader or ideology," said one of the protesting student activists.