Talk on Article 370 ‘cancelled’; seek permission, students told

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 13

The PSU (Lalkaar), a student political party, was to organise an open discussion on ‘Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A’ near AC Joshi library at Panjab University here today.

Taking note of the discussion, the UT police “threatened” and “ordered” them to cancel the event.

The students protested against the police involvement. “We are students of the PU and if the university has any objections, then they should talk to us,” said the party representatives. Prof Emanual Nahar, DSW, and the police told them that no event on Kashmir issue would be allowed inside the campus, according to the PSU.

Later, the party addressed the media and condemned the “authoritarian” behaviour of the PU authorities and the use of police force to threaten the students. Followig this, PU authorities and the police conducted another meeting with members of the PSU (Lalkaar) wherein the DSW, SHO-11 and the DSP were present.

Party members said: “The Indian media and government have been passing laws and presenting their views on Kashmir, why it is that common people and students are not allowed to express their opinion. The PU authorities have now allowed us to hold the event. We will organise the discussion on August 19 (Monday) at 5 pm near AC Joshi Library.”

Meanwhile, Prof Nahar said: “We are not imposing any restriction on the students. The police have been on the campus because the country’s Vice-President is coming tomorrow. We have asked them to give us an application regarding the discussion. It’s students’ election-time, so we are being a little careful.”

The incident

• The PSU (Lalkaar) was to organise an open discussion near library on Tuesday.
• The UT police "threatened" and "ordered" members to cancel the discussion.
• PU authorities seek application for the event.