Students demand revival of quota as Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains attends meet at GNDU

Amritsar, July 29

Student organisations Sath and United Sikh Students Federation today held a protest at the gates of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) as Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains addressed a workshop on ‘Challenges in higher education’ being hosted at the university. Three students from Sath have been on a hunger strike for the last four days, demanding revival of admission quota for students at the university.

While more students joined them today despite a spell of rain in the morning, some of the protesters also demanded suspension of campus security in-charge, who has been booked along with two others, after charges of sexual harassment levelled by a former female security employee of the university.

Brave rain

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• Three students from Sath have been on a hunger strike for the last four days in support of their demand. While more students joined them on Monday despite a spell of rain in the morning, some of the protesters also demanded suspension of campus security in-charge, who has been booked along with two others, after charges of sexual harassment levelled by a former female security employee of the university

Leading the student protests, Jaskaran Singh, vice-president of Sath, who has been on hunger strike, said, “We want our voices to be heard by the minister. We have been demanding revival of reservation in admissions to university for students of border belt and from families affected in 1984 riots, which was in place till 2017. This is important as due to increasing cost of higher education, it has become difficult for students from marginalised sections who are from the border rural belt to access quality higher education.”

Speed post cheaper, better

We want our voices to be heard by the minister. We want revival of reservation in admissions for students of border belt and from families affected in 1984 riots, which was in place till 2017. —Jaskaran Singh, Vice-president, Sath

Meanwhile, the protesting students met with disappointment as they could not meet minister Harjot Bains.

Focus on career-oriented education, says Bains

Addressing the workshop on ‘Challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of higher education in Punjab’, Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains highlighted the achievements of the state government, including increased enrollment in government schools and higher education institutions. He pointed out that higher education enrollment has seen a remarkable 200 per cent increase, a positive development. Bains also praised the transformation of government schools and emphasised the need for a similar change in higher education subjects. Education experts from across Punjab appreciated the discussion, expressing optimism over a positive outcome in the future. The workshop was attended by prominent figures, including Education Secretary Kamal Kishore Yadav, Director, Higher Education, Amrit Singh, and vice-chancellors of various universities.

Bains later presented awards of excellence to educators from various fields. Principal, Khalsa College, Dr Mehal Singh and Principal, Khalsa College for Women, Dr Surinder Kaur were among those awarded during the event.