‘Chandigarh Punjab da’ slogans rock PU

The Panjab University campus once again echoed with slogans “Chandigarh Punjab Da, Panjab University Punjab Di’, as protesting students closed Gate No 2 of the campus, soon after officials announced the shifting of centres for the exams scheduled for November 26 to DAV College, Sector 10, here.

The protesters returned to the dharna site near the Vice-Chancellor’s office as the authorities postponed the examinations.

To avoid any untoward incident during “PU Bandh”, the university has declared a holiday on November 26.

The protesting groups took out a march from the protest site to Gate No. 2 and staged a sit-in near the gate.

“This is for the information of the public in general and the students in particular that the exams of the students appearing on November 26 at centres CHD40, CHD41, CHD43 and CHD44 situated on the PU campus, Sector 14, and shifted to DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, stand postponed. The fresh dates for the conduct of these exams will be notified later on,” stated a release by the PU authorities.

Members of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha had closed Gate No. 2, leading to chaos on the campus. The protesting students broke the lock of a gate, and also raised slogans “Save Senate” and “Chandigarh Punjab Da”. The situation escalated, when students started pushing the university security personnel and the police were called in to control the situation. The protesters squatted at Gate No 2 for a few hours.

As the protesting students started the march, rumours spread across the campus that “PU Bandh”, scheduled for November 26, had started. The university has declared a holiday tomorrow. “Panjab University, Chandigarh, has announced that all teaching and non-teaching departments and offices on the PU Campus will remain closed on November 26,” stated a university release.

The PU Bachao Morcha, backed by more than 50 student unions, farmer outfits, social groups and employee bodies, has announced a complete campus bandh on November 26, on the lines of November 10 protest when the university witnessed violent scenes.

During November 10 showdown on the campus, the university gates were heavily barricaded by the police, and Gate No. 1 was partially opened. Protesters, carrying flags of various Punjab unions, stormed the campus after breaking the barricades. During the protest, slogans were raised in favour of Punjab’s rights over Chandigarh.