CHANDIGARH — The campus of Panjab University witnessed heavy commotion on Monday, March 9, 2026, as a large group of students staged a vigorous protest against the inclusion of political and ideological figures in an academic seminar. The demonstration was specifically aimed at the presence of senior functionaries from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who were invited as keynote speakers for a programme dedicated to the life and philosophical teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
The situation escalated quickly when police moved in to disperse the protesting students, resulting in dozens being detained and transported to the Sarangpur police post. Among the prominent speakers whose presence triggered the backlash were Banvir Singh, a senior RSS official, and Iqbal Singh Lalpura, a well-known BJP leader. Student unions argued that the involvement of these political entities was an attempt to influence the academic environment of the university, particularly during an event honouring a figure of such immense spiritual and historical importance as the ninth Sikh Guru.
Despite the ongoing unrest and the removal of the protesters from the immediate vicinity, the university administration allowed the seminar to proceed as scheduled. While the detentions took place outside the venue, the speakers continued their addresses to an audience within. Local authorities have maintained a heavy presence on campus to prevent any further clashes between student factions or further disruption of university activities. The incident has once again highlighted the friction regarding political presence within major educational institutions in the region.
