Open House: Could Panjab University and UT Police have handled the student protest in a better way?

Dialogue-first approach needed

The Panjab University and the UT Police could have handled the student protest more constructively by adopting a dialogue-first approach. Timely communication, involvement of student representatives, and a neutral mediation team could have defused tensions early. Ensuring transparency in decision-making and avoiding any excessive force would have built trust. A coordinated strategy focused on empathy, conflict resolution and safeguarding student rights could have led to a far smoother and more respectful outcome.

Parvinder Singh, Chandigarh

Decision taken without consultation

Both students and the police should have taken certain proactive steps. Students, driven by genuine concerns, could have maintained a single unified voice, ensuring that outsiders and disruptive elements were not allowed to infiltrate their peaceful protest. A representative panel presenting demands formally and keeping communication channels open, could have helped the students. Similarly, the police could have engaged even earlier in structured dialogue, designating senior officers trained in conflict resolution. Creating a safe negotiation space could have preserved peace.

Ravinder Nath

Should have acted with restraint

Hindsight comes with perspective, but handling of a situation in the moment reflects professionalism. To that extent, the handling of the situation by the UT Police left much to be desired, being the competent force that they are. Having said that, the students also did not cover themselves in glory for the aggression shown by them. Peaceful protests should be welcome, as that reflects the health of the system. But curbs for sake of it lead nowhere.

Deepak Taak, Panchkula

Police approach lacked empathy

The manner in which the UT Police managed the PU students' protest lacks logic, human consideration and empathy. This situation calls for immediate intervention by senior police officials and university authorities. It must be understood that every dispute is best resolved through impartial and experienced negotiators. The university has already withdrawn the affidavit issue and postponed exams, yet it refuses to meet the demands previously agreed upon. To restore normalcy, it is crucial to include prominent citizens, parents of student leaders, and neutral mediators. Immediate dialogue with students and parents and ensuring no punitive action against protesters is now key.

Capt Amar Jeet (retd), Kharar

Handle youth protests with sensitivity

PU and the UT Police could have handled the student protest in a more measured and coordinated manner. Student demonstrations are not just law and order situations, they are expressions of youth concerns and therefore require sensitivity. A joint mediation team of university officials, faculty representatives and student leaders should have been activated early to diffuse tension before it escalated. Clear communication about the issues being raised, timelines for addressing them and a transparent grievance redressal mechanism would have reduced anxiety and prevented escalation. Heavy-handed measures create more resentment than resolution.

Vineet Gandhi, Chandigarh

Time-bound resolution key

Right to protest is fundamental right under constitution, but students must adhere to peaceful way and not resort to disruption. The authorities must consider students' demands in a time-bound frame work. The UT police should not be used to disrupt peaceful rally of students to meet their demands. Lastly the authorities, should avoid issuing/enforcing new laws/dictate without consulting students' bodies.

Col TBS Bedi, Mohali

Peaceful protesters should be allowed

Fundamental right of protest and expression given by the constitution cannot be ignored. But the protest has to be peaceful in nature. The hijaking of protest through various means causing inconvenience to the general public cannot be allowed. Also the governments and the police must also allow peaceful protesters to express their views at designated place instead of blocking the roads, gates and ways for the protesters to commute. The closing of PU gates even for the students studying there and all roads leading to Chandigarh from Punjab had lead to the chaos on roads. The protesters have not done anything against the law and only expressed their views at the protest site, but breaking the varsity gates was wrong, as is the police closing the gates.

Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd.), Mohali

Sealing large parts of Tricity unjustified

Panjab University and the UT Police could indeed have managed the recent student protest more effectively by adopting a balanced, anticipatory approach. While maintaining law and order is essential, sealing large parts of Tricity created avoidable public inconvenience and heightened tensions. A better strategy would have involved early dialogue with student representatives to understand their concerns and negotiate protest routes or designated areas where demonstrations could take place without disrupting daily life. The police, instead of resorting to blanket restrictions, could have deployed a graded response-allowing peaceful assembly while ensuring that essential services and major traffic corridors remained open. Simultaneously, the university administration should have taken a more proactive role in conflict resolution.

Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh

PU authorities should act more responsibly

Panjab University, as a leading educational institution, is expected to uphold academic values, openness and fair treatment. Recent events show that the university could have responded more sensitively and responsibly. A campus must remain a space for study and peaceful expression, not confrontation. Bonafide students should be granted entry without harassment. PU should coordinate with the police and issue a clear media message that rightful access will be protected. At the same time, it must ensure that no disruptive protests are allowed.

Vijay Katyal, Panchkula

Hold meeting with all stakeholders

Due to unlawfully assembly, assault on cops, forcible entry into campus the UT Police registered an FIR against unindentified outsiders. The involvement of politicians in student protests turned it into a political rally. Punjab and Haryana High Court also called for the student to join their classes while expressing hope that the polls will be held "as expeditiously as possible". Therefore, in public interest and as well as student interest, the date of elections should be announced. By holding a joint meeting of student leaders, faculty members and police officers, the issue can be resolved as early as possible so that study of studies are not affected.

Kirpal Singh. Chandigarh

Reactive crackdown leads nowhere

Both Panjab University and the UT Police could have managed the student protest with greater foresight and sensitivity. Instead of a reactive crackdown, an open dialogue with student representatives before tensions escalated would have built trust and defused anger. Deploying mediation teams, faculty mentors, and neutral observers on the ground could have maintained order without force. Transparent communication about policy decisions, clear grievance redressal mechanisms, and joint student-administration committees would have shown accountability. Public institutions must remember that protests reflect unheard voices, not threats, and restraint paired with empathy often restores peace faster than force ever can.

Gaganpreet Singh, Mohali

Keep politics away from campus

The UT police should have banned entry of politicians from Chandigarh and adjoining states and religious groups to Panjab University. The students too should concentrate on studies and not fall prey to the politics. The work culture in the varsity must be kept away from politics for better governance. The majority owner of the varsity should have full powers to effect changes in the governing body for efficient and accountable management.

KC Rana, Chandigarh

Poor coordination led to chaos

The Punjab University authorities and the UT police could have handled the student protest in a better way. It seems there was a lack of coordination between the university authorities and the UT police. The varsity authorities could have called the leaders of the student protestors and discussed the problem. Effective two-way communication instead of imposing their decision could have stopped the escalation of the protest. The UT Police could have pre-imposed prohibitory orders to stop public assembly in the city.

Rajeev Kumar, Chandigarh

Democratic freedom should be honoured

The bandh rally at PU focused on a profoundly emotional issue. Rather than letting thousands march into the PU and file FIRs, the UT Police, in tandem with Punjab Police, could have handled it more wisely. They could have permitting a small group of student leaders and allies to enter PU. Facilities at the Sector 25 rally ground could have accommodated others for a safe assembly, speeches and shows of solidarity. This strategy would honor democratic freedom, ensure public safety and sidestep needless legal actions.

Col Balbir Singh Mathauda (retd), Chandigarh

Student-liaison officers can help

Instead of reacting after tensions escalated, authorities could have established an open mediation forum early-bringing student leaders, faculty members and administrators together to clarify demands, negotiate timelines and address misunderstandings. The UT Police, while ensuring safety, could have emphasised a minimal-force, community-policing approach. Deploying trained student-liaison officers, adopting de-escalation techniques and maintaining a calm, approachable presence would have helped build trust.

Brigadier Advitya Madan, Chandigarh

Views of stakeholders should be valued

Protesting is a legitimate right to redress grievances, but should be treated as the last resort. Authorities must consider that whenever any major change in a system is undertaken, all stakeholders should be taken into consideration. Everyone's viewpoint should be valued. Protesters also should give a reasonable time to the authorities to act before starting a dharna.

Sqn Ldr Manjit Singh Johar (retd), Chandigarh

Timely communication, transparency key

While maintaining public order is essential, sealing major link roads and causing widespread disruption for commuters should have been the last resort. A more measured, dialogue-driven approach could have prevented the escalation. The root of the agitation - the delay in holding Senate elections - was an administrative issue that required timely communication and transparency. Proactive engagement with student representatives, clear timelines and an open channel for grievances might have reduced frustration.

Sanjay Chopra, Mohali

Active engagement the way forward

While authorities aimed to maintain order, the incident suggests that earlier communication and active engagement with students might have prevented the escalation. Regular dialogue with student representatives and timely responses to their concerns could have reduced misunderstandings and avoided the need for police involvement.

Kumud Sachdeva, Dera Bassi