Panjab University (PU) observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday, November 26, after student groups, farmer unions, and civil society organisations united to call for a bandh. The protest was organised under the banner of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, which has been demanding an immediate announcement of the long-delayed Senate election schedule. Their demand is that the university must release a clear timeline for holding Senate polls, which have not taken place for more than a year.
The bandh was announced after the morcha saw no progress despite repeated meetings with university officials. Students argue that the delay in the Senate elections is affecting the democratic functioning of the university. The Senate and Syndicate are PU’s primary governing bodies, and without elected members, students claim that decision-making remains unclear and unrepresentative.
The roots of the protest lie in a recent decision by the central government. The Centre had announced a plan to dissolve PU’s existing Senate and Syndicate and replace them with nominated bodies. This decision caused widespread concern among students, teachers, and alumni, who felt that the move would weaken the university’s democratic structure. With mounting resistance, the Ministry of Education eventually withdrew its notification. However, the controversy strengthened the students’ demand for holding Senate elections without further delay.
After the notification was withdrawn, students expected the university to quickly announce an election schedule. Instead, they felt that no serious action was taken. This frustration led to the bandh call. The morcha also consulted various farmer unions before finalising the date. They stated that if the authorities attempted to conduct examinations on the day of the bandh, protestors would block the administrative block, examination centres, and the main entry gates of the campus.
Political parties also stepped in to support the agitation. The Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress, and farmers’ bodies such as Samyukta Kisan Morcha and SKM (Non-Political) extended solidarity to the students. Their support added to the pressure on university officials, who struggled to manage the increasing unrest.
On the campus, the protests picked up pace. Students gathered near major gates and blocked different entry points. They insisted that no academic activity should take place until the university publicly announced a firm Senate poll schedule. The vice-chancellor met the protesting students and informed them that the election proposal had been forwarded to the Chancellor—the Vice President of India—for approval. However, the students did not accept this as a final answer. They insisted that until an official schedule was released, their agitation would continue.
The bandh created significant uncertainty for students who had examinations scheduled for the day. The university issued several conflicting notices, adding to the confusion. On Monday, officials first declared that examinations would take place as planned, even if the protest continued. This decision was met with criticism from the morcha, which warned the university to avoid provoking confrontation.
ALSO READ: Dharmendra’s political journey reveals his surprising wish for absolute control
ALSO READ: When heart trouble hides: Why major artery blockages often show no symptoms
On Tuesday, the university changed its position and announced a holiday for November 26. Shortly afterward, another notice stated that examinations scheduled to be held on campus would instead be shifted to DAV College. This back-and-forth left students unsure whether they needed to prepare for the exams or stay home during the protest.
The morcha leaders immediately responded to the shifting notices. They gathered at Gate Number 2 of the PU campus and publicly declared that they would not allow any exams to take place, even if the venue was moved. According to them, the university was trying to “bypass” the bandh call, and they believed that such attempts would undermine their peaceful protest.
University officials were under increasing pressure. They had to balance the safety of students, the demands of the protesting groups, and the expectations of thousands of examinees. With gates blocked and tensions rising, the administration realised that holding exams was not feasible.
Finally, the university issued a clear notice announcing that all examinations scheduled for Wednesday stood postponed. New dates would be announced later. The administration also confirmed that all teaching, non-teaching, and administrative activities would remain shut for the day. This was the first time during the ongoing dispute that the university aligned fully with the morcha’s bandh call.
The decision to formally postpone the exams ended the confusion for students who had been waiting anxiously. Many students, especially those preparing for professional courses and competitive examinations, were frustrated by the delay. However, they also understood the importance of the issues being raised and the need for democratic processes to function properly at the university.
The bandh marked a significant moment for PU, as it showed the combined strength of student bodies and farmers’ groups working toward a shared goal. The morcha leaders said that their agitation would continue until an official Senate election schedule is announced. They emphasised that the Senate is crucial for representing the voices of teachers, students, and alumni in the university’s governance.
As of now, the university administration has not released the election schedule. The vice-chancellor has assured the students that the matter is being processed at the highest levels. Still, the student groups remain firm. They say that they will continue to press for transparency and timely elections.
The shutdown on November 26 may only be the beginning if the issue remains unresolved. The morcha has signalled that future protests could be more intense if the administration does not take clear and timely action. For now, PU remains on alert, with students, teachers, and officials waiting for the next step.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash