PIL filed in HC over PU agitation

Amidst the protest by the students, a public interest petition has been filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking immediate measures to maintain law and order at Panjab University. Among other things, the petitioner has alleged that political and non-academic groups have disrupted campus functioning.

The matter was placed before the Bench of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, which adjourned the hearing

The petitioner, approaching the court in public interest, referred to alleged escalating law and order situation in and around Panjab University, claiming that political parties, student unions and external groups had been pursuing political agenda. According to the petition, agitators resorted to violence, despite the presence of university security and Chandigarh Police.

The plea urges the court to issue directions to the university authorities and local police to ensure peaceful functioning and prevent entry of outsiders, political party workers, and non-university bodies into the campus, except for bona fide academic or administrative purposes. The petitioner emphasised that while the Senate election is already sub judice before the High Court, the agitation has now taken on a political dimension, disrupting both academic and administrative operations.

The petitioner, Subhash Sehgal, also pointed out that Panjab University has designated a specific area near the Health Centre for lawful student protests, but recent actions have exceeded this framework, escalating into illegal and unjustified agitation.