Chandigarh: Tensions at Panjab University escalated on Monday as student demonstrators stormed the campus, clashing with Chandigarh police during a protest demanding the notification of Senate elections.
According to reports, students breached Gate No. 1, which had been partially opened, despite the heavy security presence. Eyewitnesses said protesters confronted police personnel and, in some instances, seized police canes, leading to scuffles that temporarily disrupted the campus environment.
Authorities had deployed barricades, buses, and additional police forces around the university following a call for a ‘PU Bandh’ issued by student organisations and political groups. Residents within the campus were advised to remain indoors amid the heightened security.
Political Figures Join the Demonstration
The protest drew attention from prominent leaders, including Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh, who visited the dharna site to show support for the students’ demands.
Student representatives accused the university administration and police of using intimidation tactics to curb mobilisation. They described the security measures as “undemocratic and illegal”, alleging that barricades and restrictions at campus gates were intended to prevent supporters from joining the protest.
Background of the Dispute
The unrest stems from the Centre’s overhaul of Panjab University, a move that sparked political controversy in Punjab and Chandigarh. Even after a partial rollback of the changes, tensions remain high, with student groups continuing to demand transparency and notification of Senate elections.
The campus clash reflects a growing frustration among students and political groups, who argue that their voices are being suppressed despite following democratic channels.
Police maintained that the security arrangements were necessary to prevent disruptions at a historically significant campus. Meanwhile, student leaders insisted that the protest was peaceful in its intent and aimed at holding the administration accountable.
As the situation unfolded, authorities called for calm and urged protesters to avoid further confrontation, highlighting the sensitive political climate surrounding Panjab University and the ongoing Senate election dispute.
The protest marks one of the most significant student-led confrontations at the university in recent years, underscoring the continuing tensions between administrative authorities, political stakeholders, and the student community.
