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Chandigarh: A sense of unease gripped Panjab University on Monday as the campus braced for a shutdown following a protest call by students demanding the long-pending Senate elections. Despite the Centre rolling back its controversial decision to restructure the university’s governing bodies, students refused to back down, vowing to continue their agitation until poll dates are announced. The protest, led under the banner of ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’, comes days after the Ministry of Education on November 7 withdrew its October 28 order that sought to amend the Panjab University Act, 1947. The order had proposed to reduce the strength of the Senate, the university’s apex governing body, from 91 members to 31 and to do away with elections for the Syndicate, the university’s executive body. What Are Students Protesting For? The protesting students are demanding that the authorities immediately announce the schedule for the long-pending Senate elections. The Senate, being the highest decision-making body of Panjab University, plays a crucial role in shaping academic and administrative policies. Students argue that delaying the polls undermines the institution’s democratic ethos and leaves key decisions in the hands of a few. Despite the Centre’s recent withdrawal of its controversial order to restructure the university’s governing bodies, the students insist that their movement will continue until the election dates are formally declared. The government’s withdrawal came amid mounting criticism from students and political circles, but that has done little to calm the growing unrest on campus. The protesting students have called for a “university shutdown” on Monday, pressing the authorities to announce the Senate poll schedule, which has been pending for over a year. Campus on alert, security tightenedIn anticipation of the protest, authorities moved swiftly to tighten security across the city. Heavy police deployment was made in and around the Panjab University campus, with barricades set up at all major entry points. Checkpoints were also established on adjoining roads, and additional security personnel were stationed along the Chandigarh-Mohali borders to prevent any untoward incidents. The university administration, meanwhile, announced a two-day holiday for Monday and Tuesday. Entry into the campus has been restricted, with only individuals carrying valid university ID cards allowed to enter. Students allege restricted entry Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) vice-president Ashmeet Singh said, “All preparations have been made for a peaceful protest.” He also claimed that “many students were being denied entry to PU.” Student leader Abhishek Dagar echoed a similar sentiment, asserting that the movement will continue until their core demand is met. “There will be a peaceful protest and it will continue till the Senate poll schedule is announced,” he said. The agitation has drawn support from several political leaders across parties, as well as artists and farmers’ bodies. Punjab minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, MPs Dharamvira Gandhi and Amar Singh, MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh, and former Union minister Pawan Kumar Bansal all extended their solidarity with the students on Sunday. (With inputs from PTI)
