Chandigarh: Despite the Union government’s decision to retract its notification on changes to the Panjab University (PU) Senate, the campus remains tense as students and faculty groups continue their agitation, demanding immediate elections for the governing body.
The Panjab University Bachao Morcha and various student organizations have refused to call off their planned shutdown for Monday, asserting that the university’s Senate elections must be formally announced without further delay. The Senate’s previous term ended on October 31 last year, yet no new election schedule has been released since then.
Protesters argue that the Centre’s earlier attempt to alter the Senate structure undermined the university’s autonomy and Punjab’s participatory role in its governance. The issue has quickly escalated into a politically charged movement, drawing the attention of leaders across party lines.
Over the past week, the campus has become a rallying ground for political figures and farmer representatives, who have expressed solidarity with students. More than 40 members of farmers’ unions joined the protests on Thursday, later meeting PU Students Council representatives to discuss plans for Monday’s complete shutdown.
Political voices rally behind students
Several political leaders have spoken out in support of the demonstrators.
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Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member of Parliament, emphasized that Panjab University “embodies Punjab’s democratic voice,” and warned that any unilateral interference by the Centre would be resisted both within and outside Parliament.
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Pargat Singh, Congress MLA, called the agitation a defense of the institution’s identity, saying it was “not about politics but about protecting academic autonomy.”
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Giani Harpreet Singh, former Jathedar of Akal Takht, criticized the Centre’s approach as an attempt to “curtail Punjab’s participation in the functioning of a democratic educational institution.”
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Harjinder Singh Dhami, SGPC president, described the move as a “threat to the democratic setup” and voiced full support for the student-led shutdown.
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Sukhanand, AAP MLA, noted that the protests symbolize a rare unity across political lines, reflecting “Punjab’s broader struggle for representation and rights.”
Even after the withdrawal of the controversial notification, protesters insist that their agitation will continue until the university officially declares the Senate election schedule.
As tensions simmer, the once-academic atmosphere at the Chandigarh campus has transformed into a political battleground. With neither side backing down, Panjab University is bracing for another week of demonstrations, marches, and possible shutdowns.
