Universities Must Protect Freedom of Thought, Questioning and Dissent, Says Justice Bhuyan
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 30: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan on Sunday said that students cannot be threatened with punitive action merely for expressing a different point of view or asking questions, describing such an approach as unconstitutional and a misuse of power.
Justice Bhuyan emphasised that universities must remain spaces for free thought, intellectual inquiry and healthy disagreement, where students are encouraged to examine established ideas and question prevailing positions without fear.
“A university should be a place where the habit of thinking freely begins and where a student does not hesitate to ask difficult questions,” Justice Bhuyan said.
The Supreme Court judge stressed that the right to question is not an act of defiance, but an essential part of the intellectual and democratic culture that educational institutions are expected to foster.
He said that students should be allowed to express differing opinions and engage in critical questioning, while disagreements should not automatically be treated as indiscipline or misconduct.
Justice Bhuyan further cautioned against an intolerant mindset, observing that such an approach is fundamentally inconsistent with the spirit and values of the Indian Constitution.
He underscored the importance of protecting an academic environment in which freedom of expression, critical thinking and dissent can flourish.
The remarks assume significance amid continuing debates over student rights, freedom of expression and the role of universities as spaces for democratic dialogue.
Justice Bhuyan’s observations highlight that educational institutions have a responsibility to ensure that disciplinary powers are not misused to silence legitimate questions or differing viewpoints.(KNC)
