Now, Panjab University's 'outsider' diktat sparks fury on campus

A day after the Centre finally rolled back its controversial restructuring of Panjab University (PU), students on Saturday refused to end their indefinite dharna, calling the university administration’s fresh restrictions “dictatorial”, akin to “undeclared emergency”.

The agitation under the banner of Panjab University Bachao Morcha entered its ninth day, with protesters vowing to continue their fight until elections to the original 91-member Senate are formally announced.

The Tribune had first broken the PU overhaul story last Saturday, exposing how the October 30 notification had slashed the Senate’s strength from 91 to 31 and replaced its elected syndicate with a nominated body. The exposé triggered a political storm across Punjab and Chandigarh, forcing the Centre to issue a series of clarifications and, finally, a complete withdrawal on Friday night through a fourth notification — exactly a week after the original order.

The Union Ministry of Education’s late-night statement said it had “accepted the demand of the students” and confirmed that “no change in the Senate of Panjab University” would be made. The decision followed consultations with students, teachers, and former vice-chancellors.

Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, speaking to The Tribune hours before the rollback, had apologised “with folded hands”, saying the move had been misunderstood and that “the PU structure will be restored exactly as it was”.

However, the Centre’s U-turn has not pacified the protesters. Tensions flared again on campus after PU Registrar Prof YP Verma issued a fresh order late Friday evening, barring outsiders from entering the university and prohibiting their participation in protests from November 8. The diktat, circulated among students on Saturday, mandates that only those carrying university identity cards and vehicle stickers would be allowed entry.

The students, already camping at the campus lawns, erupted in anger, accusing the administration of trying to muzzle their movement. “A situation of dictatorship and undeclared emergency has emerged in Panjab University,” said Avtar Singh of SOPU. “The administration has locked the guest house to block the November 10 gathering and stop visiting alumni and supporters. This struggle will continue with full determination, unity and spirit until the Senate elections are announced.”

Leaders from nearly all opposition parties, religious bodies, and student organisations continued to pour onto the campus through the day, pledging solidarity. The protest site, now the epicentre of Punjab’s latest autonomy battle, saw mats laid out for cross-party leaders who sat alongside the students.

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh arrived from Shimla to join the dharna, declaring that his government and the Congress stood “shoulder to shoulder with the democratic struggle of Punjab’s youth”. He accused the BJP-led Centre of trying to “grab or demolish constitutional institutions” and warned that such moves would be resisted “tooth and nail”.

Former Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh, senior Congress leader Vijay Inder Singla, Raja Raj Singh of Tarna Dal, and Bhai Labh Singh of Quami Insaaf Morcha were among several figures who met the students and pledged full support.

In Batala, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann renewed his attack on the Modi government, accusing it of “suffering from an anti-Punjab syndrome”. He said the BJP was “desperately trying for a backdoor entry” into Panjab University. “PU is part of Punjab’s emotional, cultural, and academic legacy,” he said. “We will not allow anyone to tamper with it.”

Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma, however, hailed the rollback, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for “respecting the sentiments of Punjabis and fully withdrawing the proposed changes”.

Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari, who had led the charge against the overhaul and met the university’s Chancellor, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, called the Centre’s climbdown “a victory of students, teachers and all who resisted this unconstitutional move”.

“Good sense has finally prevailed,” he said. “Punjab’s academic institutions are not to be trifled with.”

Even with the Centre’s complete retreat, the mood on campus remains defiant. Students say the November 10 “Save Senate, Save PU” show of strength will go ahead as planned — now not just to celebrate the rollback, but to assert that Panjab University’s democratic voice will not be silenced again.