Notices to PU research scholars over burning effigy of Vice-Prez

Two Panjab University (PU) research scholars have been served notices for alleged misconduct during a protest on December 21, when an effigy of the Vice-President (V-P) and varsity Chancellor Jagdeep Dhankhar was burned. The protest, organised to demand the overdue Senate elections, took place during the V-P’s visit to the campus for the Global Alumni Meet.

Similar protest held on Nov 22

A group of students had staged a similar protest on November 22 and burned an effigy of the V-C and the Chief of University Security. The protest was in response to an FIR filed against 14 students for allegedly attempting to disrupt Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s address on campus. The effigy depicted the V-C in her ceremonial Honorary Colonel uniform that sparked a row. Varsity authorities and even some members of the protesting group had objected to the image being used in the effigy.

The notices, issued by Yojna Rawat, Director of the Research and Development Council, stated: “It is to inform you that the Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has initiated the procedure against you for the serious misconduct committed by you as per UGC guidelines such as protesting against the Hon’ble Vice President of India and Chancellor of Panjab University, raising slogans, and burning the effigy. Therefore, you are directed to submit your written reply within three days from the date of issuance of this notice for the above-mentioned misconduct in the office of the undersigned.”

Gautam Bhoria, a research scholar in the Department of Education and one of the notice recipients, criticised the administration’s action. “On what basis is a protest for democratic rights being called misconduct? The notice does not even specify which UGC guideline was violated,” he said.

Gagan Deep, a PhD scholar in Economics from the Evening Studies Department, also expressed frustration over the administration’s approach. “The repeated attempts to suppress our voices, from FIRs to notices, are like a pressure cooker—if the pressure keeps building, it’s bound to burst. Students will not stay silent when their democratic rights are being ignored,” he remarked.

V-C Renu Vig, meanwhile, defended the action, saying, “Research scholars receive fellowships to carry out meaningful research. The UGC provides stipends and scholars have the responsibility of maintaining decorum and respecting constitutional authorities. The Chancellor, as Vice President of India, holds a revered constitutional office, and actions that undermine such offices are not acceptable.”