New FIR, safety row fuel PU protest

Panjab University’s administrative counter-moves — ranging from safety concerns raised by women employees to the filing of a fresh FIR for the November 10 bandh protest — today triggered sharp reactions from the PU Bachao Morcha, which accused the varsity of running a “vilification campaign” instead of resolving the 17-day-old crisis.

This confrontation comes even as The Tribune’s November 1 expose on the PU overhaul set off a massive political storm in Punjab and Chandigarh, pushing the Centre into an unprecedented retreat — rolling back the restructuring within a week through four notifications issued between October 30 and November 7.

Earlier today, a delegation of PU’s women employees met Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig and submitted a memorandum expressing deep anxiety over safety and security, citing the tense climate created by rumours of a bandh call on November 18-19. They pointed to the presence of “male elements among protesters,” apprehensions about potential risks, and the need for secure movement within the campus.

The Morcha rejected the concerns as “manufactured panic”, insisting no bandh call has been issued after November 10. “This is clearly orchestrated by the PU administration as part of a counter-attack to weaken our movement,” said student leader Avtar Singh. “These tactics will boomerang. Instead of resolving the issue, the authorities are trying to paint us black.”

Students also condemned the new FIR registered against them and outsiders who participated in the massive November 10 bandh rally. “We were already demanding that the previous FIR from last November be withdrawn. Instead, the administration has slapped another case on peaceful protesters. We will not take this lying down,” the Morcha said.

Despite the mounting pressures, the indefinite sit-in outside the VC office entered its 17th consecutive day, with students declaring they will continue the dharna until the Senate election schedule — under the pre-October 30 structure — is formally notified.

Local gurdwaras, religious groups and social organisations continued serving round-the-clock langar, tea, snacks and dry fruits, evoking scenes reminiscent of the 2020 farmer movement at Delhi borders.

Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney visited the protest site on Monday, calling the students’ demands “legitimate and constitutional,” and assured them of personally taking up the matter with Vice-President and Chancellor CP Radhakrishnan. He said he would push for the Senate poll notification within the next couple of days.

Punjabi singer-writer Gulab Sidhu also met the students and extended full support.

Throughout the day, leaders of PSU (Shaheed Randhawa), Revolutionary Student Organisation, Democratic Teachers’ Front, Varg Chetna Manch, Sabka Sainik Krantikari Union, Verka Outsource Union and others marked their presence.

TRIBUTES PAID TO MARTYR

Marking the martyrdom day of Kartar Singh Sarabha, students held a discussion on the Ghadar Movement and its relevance to democratic struggles today. Speakers emphasised Sarabha’s ideals of resistance and youth leadership, drawing parallels with the ongoing agitation.

ALL-PARTY MEET ON NOV 20

The Morcha has convened an all-party, all-organisation meeting on November 20 to chart the next phase of the movement.

“We have been forced to take this route. Except for the Centre withdrawing the overhaul, none of our demands has been met in 17 days. We are prepared for a long struggle,” said Avtar Singh.

TIMELINE

Oct 30: Centre issues PU restructuring notification.

Nov 1: The Tribune breaks overhaul story; political storm erupts.

Nov 7: Centre rolls back overhaul after issuing four notifications in a week.

Nov 1-15: Students demand early Senate polls, FIR withdrawal.

Nov 9: VC sends draft Senate election schedule to VP-cum-Chancellor.

Nov 10: Massive bandh; students, farmers, political leaders breach barricades.

Nov 15-17: New FIR filed; women employees raise safety concerns.

WHAT NEXT

The biggest turning point hinges on CP Radhakrishnan approving or delaying the Senate election schedule.

If the notification is not issued soon, the Morcha intends to intensify the agitation, including extended strikes and campus shutdown.

Students plan legal and political pressure to seek withdrawal of both the old and the newly registered FIR.

More committees, advisories or disciplinary moves may emerge, which, students warn, could trigger further confrontation.

Exams already postponed; classes disrupted. Prolonged deadlock may derail the academic calendar.