Punjab University Chandigarh is currently facing a big stir as students and supporters demand the university to hold elections for its Senate, which have been delayed for a long time. The main issue started when the central government tried to change the way the university is run by replacing important elected bodies with nominated officials. This decision upset many people, leading to protests and strong resistance on the campus.
The Senate and Syndicate bodies have managed the university for nearly 59 years through elections. However, the government’s move to replace them with nominated members was seen by students and political leaders as a threat to the university’s independence and democracy. Because of this, students formed a “University Bachao Morcha,” or Save the University Movement, and started protesting with hunger strikes and peaceful demonstrations.
Even though the central government withdrew its order to change the university governance, the students are not satisfied yet. They want a clear announcement of the dates for the overdue Senate elections. The previous Senate’s term ended in October 2024, and since then, no new elections have taken place.
On November 10, the situation became intense as thousands of protesters broke barricades and entered the university campus at Gate No. 1. The police tried to stop them with force, including baton charges, but the students and protestors managed to get inside. Due to the protests, the university declared holidays for November 10 and 11 and has restricted entry to only people with ID cards to keep the situation under control.
The protests have attracted support from many local political leaders and groups. Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other parties like Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal have voiced their support for the students’ cause. Social groups and artists from the region are also expressing solidarity and helping raise awareness through social media and public events.
The students have three clear demands:
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Announce the elections for all 91 Senate seats immediately.
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Ensure these elections are conducted fairly with elected members, not nominated ones.
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Restore democratic functioning to maintain the university’s autonomy.
The university and the administration are currently under pressure to address these demands quickly to avoid further unrest. The protest shows how strongly the students and community feel about maintaining democracy and independence in Punjab University.
This ongoing situation at Punjab University Chandigarh highlights the importance of timely and transparent elections in educational institutions and the power of united student voices in safeguarding their rights.
For the latest official updates from the university, visit the Punjab University News & Updates page.
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Stay informed through these official and trusted sources to track ongoing developments at Punjab University Chandigarh.
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