Haryana, Himachal seeking backdoor PU entry: Mann

Panjab University’s governance issue reached the national stage as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann raised the matter at the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The CM accused Haryana and Himachal Pradesh of seeking “illegitimate backdoor entry” into the Senate and insisted that the PU was and would remain Punjab’s university.

Speaking to The Tribune on Tuesday, Mann said the Centre must end ambiguity after withdrawing its October 30 notification on restructuring and ensure no dilution of Punjab’s constitutional rights over the institution.

This comes even as the PU students’ indefinite dharna — started after The Tribune’s November 1 expose that also triggered a political firestorm in Punjab and Chandigarh, and forced the Centre to withdraw the PU overhaul within a week through a record four notifications (Oct 30-Nov 7) — today entered its 18th day. The students were sitting in full strength at the protest site near the VC office.

The protest, intensified by the unprecedented mobilisation of students and outsiders on the campus on November 10, continues to grow with each passing day.

Today, leaders of the PU Bachao Morcha held deliberations with their supporting organisations — including farmer unions, Left groups, civil rights groups, religious fronts and political bodies — to finalise preparations for the November 20 all-party meeting. It is expected to decide the next course of action if the Senate poll schedule is still not notified.

“The PU administration is running a vilification campaign against students. The fresh FIR for the November 10 rally is nothing but pressure tactics,” Morcha leader Avtar Singh told The Tribune, warning that such moves will “only boomerang and escalate the crisis”.

Sarah from Left’s PSU (Lalkaar), whose video of forcibly freeing her hand from a policewoman on November 10 went viral and was later applauded on stage by Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh during his Australia Aura Tour — said the police used force, lathicharge and road blockades to stop the November 10 march.

“This new FIR is totally false and baseless. It was the police that assaulted peaceful students, blocked all entry points to Chandigarh and detained our supporters,” she said. “If they think FIRs or arrests can scare us, they should recall the 2020 farm struggle. We are fully prepared for a long haul,” she added.

The dharna site continues to witness footfall, with 24x7 langar being held by gurdwaras and village groups, reminding many of the Delhi farmer protest sites of 2020-21.

Students reiterated their vow not to attend classes or appear for semester exams. The committee formed by the VC after meeting them six days ago has “failed to resolve even a single issue”, they said.

“Eighteen days in, not one demand has been met except the Centre rolling back its own flawed notification. We are forced to protest because the PU refuses to act,” said Avtar Singh.