Centre unmoved, PU students continue stir

With just three days left for its November 25 ultimatum, the Panjab University (PU) Bachao Morcha’s indefinite dharna entered its 22nd day on Saturday, as students — backed by farmers, religious groups, civil-society outfits, social organisations, political leaders and Nihang factions — geared up for a “historic campus shutdown” on November 26.

The bandh is expected to mirror the unprecedented November 10 protest, when the PU witnessed its largest youth mobilisation in recent memory.

The Tribune had broken the PU overhaul story on November 1, triggering a political firestorm in Punjab and Chandigarh that forced the Centre to withdraw the restructuring within a week, issuing four notifications between October 30 and November 7. But despite the rollback, the Centre is yet to blink on the core demand: formal notification of the Senate election schedule as per the pre-October 30 structure.

Two weeks after PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig sent the recommendation to Vice-President and Chancellor CP Radhakrishnan on November 9, the file remains pending.

Morcha leaders reiterated that unless the Senate poll notification is issued before November 25, PU will observe a complete bandh the next day with no academic, administrative or transport activity allowed.

Fresh political support arrived today with former Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa visiting the protest site. “I joined the Panjab University Bachao Morcha today. The Central Government must stop delaying and immediately announce the Senate election date. The PU is not just an institution — it carries the emotions and legacy of Punjab. The Prime Minister should respect this sentiment and take timely action,” Dhindsa said.