Centre rolls back Panjab University overhaul after political storm

A week after its controversial move triggered a political storm across Punjab and Chandigarh, the Centre on Thursday night finally rolled back the restructuring of the Panjab University (PU), fully rescinding the October 30 notification that had drastically altered the university’s Senate and Syndicate.

The Union Ministry of Education, in its fourth notification on the issue since October 30, issued late on November 7 — a copy of which is with The Tribune —said: “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), read with sub-section (2) and (3), of section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 (31 of 1966), the Central Government hereby rescinds the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, number S.O. 5023 (E), dated November 4, 2025.”

The order, signed by Joint Secretary Rina Sonewal Kouli, effectively nullifies all changes made to the governance structure of PU.

The Tribune had first broken the PU‑overhaul story last Saturday, revealing sweeping changes that trimmed the Senate’s structure, slashed its strength from 91 to 31, and replaced the elected Syndicate with a nominated body — sparking a major political firestorm and widespread protests.

Facing mounting backlash, the Centre had paused the reforms on November 4 but not withdrawn them, prompting students and opposition parties to intensify their agitation.

The final rollback notification came hours after Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu told The Tribune that the government would “completely withdraw” the October 30 order “by tonight or tomorrow”.

Calling it a misunderstanding similar to the 2020 farm laws, Bittu said, “Our government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, always wants to bring reforms for Punjab, but this step was not received positively. I apologise with folded hands to the students and all stakeholders who felt hurt. The PU structure will be restored exactly as it was, and Punjab and Punjabis will continue to run the university.”

He added that he had conveyed to the BJP high command that emotional issues tied to Punjab’s identity “must not be touched without stakeholders’ consent”.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, speaking earlier in Amritsar, said the Centre’s repeated interventions in Panjab University affairs amounted to “interference in Punjab’s rights”.

“This is not just an academic institution — it is part of Punjabi identity. The Centre must stop bullying Punjab; we know how to fight for our rights,” Mann said.

On the PU campus, students hailed the Centre’s reversal as a “significant achievement” but announced their indefinite dharna would continue.

“The rollback is welcome, but our primary demand is the announcement of elections for the original 91-member Senate. The demonstration will end only after the poll schedule is declared,” said Avtar Singh, president of the Students’ Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU).

The campus remained abuzz with celebrations and renewed chants of “Save Senate, Save PU”, as student groups vowed to continue their vigil until democratic processes were restored.

TIMELINE

October 30: Centre notifies sweeping PU restructuring, trimming Senate structure and making Syndicate election-free

November 1: The Tribune breaks the story, sparking political outrage across Punjab and Chandigarh

November 4: Centre issues “pause” notification, putting changes on hold but not withdrawing them

November 6: Protests escalate; opposition leaders and SGPC back students’ indefinite dharna.

November 7: Centre issues final notification rescinding all previous orders, fully restoring PU’s original structure.

WHAT IT MEANS

The rollback marks a major victory for students and political parties that united under the “Save Panjab University” banner. It underscores Punjab’s emotional and political stake in the university, historically governed by an elected Senate since 1947. The reversal signals the Centre’s retreat under mounting regional pressure — a rare instance of collective protest forcing a swift policy climb-down within days.