Panjab University has decided to dissolve the committee that reviewed external speakers invited by student organizations for campus events. This decision follows weeks of protests led by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM), a student group demanding changes in university administration and policies.
The move fulfills one of the four key demands of the student leaders. The other demands include withdrawal of cases against students, no new administrative decisions until senate elections, and implementation of a reservation policy for faculty recruitment. The university administration has said it will review the remaining demands and address them within its powers or refer them to the newly elected senate once elections are completed.
The protests escalated in response to a committee formed by Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig, which included five professors tasked with mediating between students and the administration. The committee members were Yogesh Kumar Rawal (zoology), Virender Negi (legal sciences), Jaskaran Singh Waraich (defense and national security studies), Jasbir Singh (history), and Vishal Sharma (forensic science). The committee had been responsible for vetting all external speakers invited to university events, a rule that many students felt restricted academic freedom.
Following meetings with the Morcha leaders, the university officially accepted the demand to scrap the vetting committee. “We have accepted one of the four demands and are actively reviewing the rest,” V-C Vig said. She added that her office would not interfere in the senate election process, which would oversee the remaining issues and new decisions.
The PUBM has raised several other demands alongside the vetting committee issue. One key demand is the withdrawal of civil and criminal cases against students filed during previous protests. The committee assured the student leaders that civil cases would be revoked and criminal cases would be reviewed according to legal procedures.
Another major demand concerns faculty recruitment policies. Students have asked for a 27% reservation for OBC candidates in faculty and staff recruitment, replacing the current 5% provision. However, the administration clarified that changes to the reservation policy are beyond the vice-chancellor’s authority and will be decided by the new senate.
The Morcha has also demanded a halt on new administrative decisions until the senate elections are conducted. Students sought written assurance from the vice-chancellor that no new orders or policy changes would be implemented before the newly elected senate reviews past decisions.
Tensions on campus led the university to enforce security and parking measures during protests. Outsiders joining the demonstrations were asked to park at Gate No. 1 and the Arts Block parking area, while student volunteers and security personnel checked entrants for any weapons. These measures were necessary because the registrar’s November 8 notification, which required valid ID cards and vehicle stickers for campus entry, had been challenged by the protest activity.
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Political leaders have also shown support for the student protests. Former Congress MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli and MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira visited the campus to meet students, alongside Balkaur Singh, the father of slain singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Their visits highlighted the growing public attention on the campus unrest and the students’ demands.
The protests and administrative response at Panjab University reflect a broader debate on academic freedom, student rights, and governance in higher education institutions. Students argue that vetting external speakers limits exposure to new ideas, while the administration stresses the need for order and adherence to university protocols.
The PUBM’s organized approach—combining protests, political support, and dialogue with committees—has resulted in tangible outcomes, starting with the dissolution of the vetting committee. The focus now shifts to the remaining demands, particularly those related to reservation policies, withdrawal of cases, and ensuring no new administrative decisions until the new senate is in place.
Officials hope that continued dialogue and transparent handling of grievances will restore peace on campus and allow students to concentrate on academics without fear of punitive measures. Meanwhile, students have agreed to postpone exam boycotts and maintain order, showing a willingness to cooperate while their demands are addressed.
The Panjab University situation underscores the importance of balancing administrative control with student autonomy, ensuring that institutions remain spaces for learning, debate, and personal growth. The coming weeks will be crucial as the university works with student leaders and the new senate to resolve outstanding issues and strengthen campus governance.
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