Panjab University: 50-70 protesters to stay on campus till senate poll schedule is finalised

Deepankar Sharda

Updated At : 07:11 PM Nov 10, 2025 IST

PU protest turns violent. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Panjab University (PU) witnessed heavy police deployment on Monday as students staged protests demanding the announcement of the long-pending Senate elections.

The demonstration turned tense as several students broke through police barricades, scaled university gates, and clashed with security personnel, prompting a mild lathicharge to restore order.

Protesters, shouting slogans such as “Go Back Chandigarh Police”, accused the administration of denying them entry into the campus. Members of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha—which has been leading the agitation—were joined by farmer leaders who forced their way through barricades set up along the Chandigarh-Mohali border.

The agitation comes in the wake of the Centre’s now-withdrawn decision to restructure the university’s governing bodies — the Senate and the Syndicate.

Although the Ministry of Education withdrew its October 28 order on November 7 following student protests and political criticism, students continued their agitation, calling for a ‘PU Bandh’ until the Senate election schedule is announced.

Authorities imposed stringent security measures, including barricading entry points, deploying buses, and setting up checkpoints on surrounding roads. Security personnel were also stationed at the Chandigarh-Mohali-Zirakpur border.

Students entered the campus through Gate No. 1, reportedly clashing with police and taking away canes used for crowd control. Student leaders accused the administration and police of using force to suppress mobilisation, describing the measures as “undemocratic and illegal.”

Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) vice-president Ashmeet Singh said preparations had been made for a peaceful protest, while student leader Abhishek Dagar confirmed the agitation would continue until the Senate poll schedule is announced.

Several political figures visited the dharna site, including Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Rana Gurjeet Singh. The protest has also received support from leaders across parties, farmers’ organizations, and artists.

The controversy began with the Centre’s notification amending the Panjab University Act, 1947, which reduced the Senate’s strength from 91 to 31 members and eliminated elections for the executive Syndicate, triggering widespread student unrest and political tensions in Punjab and Chandigarh.

Protestors to camp on campus

November 10, 2025 5:06 pm

50-70 protestors to camp at the campus until the final schedule of the Senate elections is finalised. The others will go back tonight.

Farmer leaders join protest

November 10, 2025 3:43 pm

PUCSC vice-president Ashmeet Singh alleged that many students were being stopped from entering the university. Another student leader, Abhishek Dagar, said the agitation would continue until the government declared the election schedule. Meanwhile, farmers affiliated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) held a parallel protest near Mohali’s Phase-6 after being denied entry into Chandigarh, they too later arrived at the campus. The demonstration caused traffic snarls before some groups managed to reach the university to show solidarity with the students. Farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and SKM (Non-Political) leaders Kaka Singh Kotra and MS Rai, joined the protesters on campus.

Protestors confront MP Kang, blame Punjab govt for delay

November 10, 2025 3:38 pm

Some protestors confronted MP Malwinder Singh Kang, arguing that the Punjab government also shares responsibility for the delay. Meanwhile, farmer leaders have arrived on the university campus and are now gathering outside the Vice Chancellor’s office.

Farmers break open police barricades on Mohali–Chandigarh border at Phase 6

November 10, 2025 2:08 pm

Led by SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, farmers and students from across Punjab have begun their march towards Panjab University. Rajewal raised inter-state issues, including Chandigarh and river waters, and vowed to continue the agitation until all contentious matters are resolved once and for all.

Reserve forces to be called

November 10, 2025 12:52 pm

Amid the ongoing protest at Panjab University, SSP Chandigarh Police again reached out to the students and indicated plans to call in reserve forces to maintain order. Meanwhile, the protestors intensified their demands, calling for the release of detained students, while more demonstrators carrying BKU flags entered the campus. Support for the agitators also grew, with food ‘langar’ being supplied to sustain the protest. Tensions rose further as the protestors refused to allow barricades near Gate No. 1, signaling their determination to continue the agitation until their demands are met.

Barricades cause traffic jam at Chandigarh-Zirakpur-Mohali border

November 10, 2025 12:40 pm

Police have barricaded the Chandigarh-Mohali border near Phase-6, restricting vehicle entry into the Union Territory. Trucks and buses have been used to block the road, causing long queues and chaotic traffic in Mohali. Commuters are seeking alternate routes as traffic remains erratic in. In Zirakpur, vehicles are stuck in a long traffic jam after the Chandigarh police are checking vehicles on the Chandigarh-Zirakpur.

Nihangs, representatives of farm union lead protest

November 10, 2025 12:29 pm

Nihangs, representatives of the famers' union lead protest at PU

IG, SSP forced to leave PU

November 10, 2025 12:07 pm

Protests at Panjab University turned violent again as students removed barricades and broke open entry gates, shifting their demonstration from the Vice Chancellor’s office to Gate No. 1. The IG and SSP were forced to leave the campus, while police carried out a mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. The agitation has disrupted traffic to PGIMER, with protestors actively breaking locks and obstructing campus access.

SSP speaks with students

November 10, 2025 11:52 am

Chandigarh SSP speaks with students regarding entry of outsiders at the campus. Students raise concern over the presence of police inside the campus, and restrictions put on entry inside the campus. Protesting students also demand entry of political leaders. SSP pacifies students, says "We are not stopping the students, but outsiders need permission to reach inside the campus."

SSP at PU

November 10, 2025 11:46 am

IG Pushpinder Kumar at PU, Also Chandigarh Police SSP Kanwardeep Kaur reaches campus.

Prominent leaders visiting the dharna

November 10, 2025 11:42 am

Gurmeet Singh Khudian (Punjab Agriculture Minister) Partap Singh Bajwa (Leader of Opposition, Punjab) Rana Gurjeet Singh (Senior Congress leader) Dr Amar Singh and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi (MPs) Pawan Kumar Bansal (Former Union Minister) Dalvir Singh Goldy (Punjab Congress leader) Gurnam Singh Charuni (Haryana farmer leader) Vikramaditiya Singh (Himachal minister)

Gate No. 1 was partially opened

November 10, 2025 11:41 am

Gate No. 1 was partially opened, all other gates are blocked. Student leaders accused the administration and police of using force to suppress mobilisation, controlling tents, sound systems, and logistics without Vice Chancellor approval. Barricades at Punjab-Chandigarh border were criticised as undemocratic and illegal.

Protests, police clash at Panjab University