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Former Health Minister and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu on Monday (November 3, 2025) said that the BJP-led Central government’s move to restructure the ‘Syndicate and Senate’ of Panjab University has yet again exposed the BJP’s “anti-Punjab face.” Mr. Sidhu stated that under the pretext of improving the functioning of Panjab University, the Central government has almost eliminated the representation of teachers, principals, and alumni in its syndicate and senate, converting them into nominated bodies now directly under its control. “This historic institution of Punjab is now ‘Panjab University’ in name only, as in practice, it has been turned into a fully central university,” he said in a statement. He alleged that the BJP government intends to end or drastically reduce Punjab’s representation in every institution, just like in the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board), so that Punjab can no longer influence their decisions. Hitting out at the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, Mr. Sidhu said, “the Central government dared to take this step only because of the AAP government’s lack of commitment towards Punjab and Punjabis.”
