PU controversy turns inter-state, protesters unshaken

The Panjab University (PU) campus turned into a microcosm of regional fault lines, as voices from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh began clashing over the varsity’s ownership — even as the students’ indefinite dharna entered its 12th day today.

With Haryana and Himachal students demanding their “rightful share” in the 142-year-old institution and Punjab voices calling it “Punjab’s emotional heritage”, leaders of the PU Bachao Morcha, spearheading the agitation, made it clear that the ongoing movement “has nothing to do with deciding any state’s stake or share”.

“This is not about geography, it’s about democracy,” said Avtar Singh (SOPU). “Our fight is to restore the pre-October 30 structure, hold the long-delayed Senate polls and withdraw the police cases against students, not to divide PU along state lines.”

The indefinite dharna began on November 1 — the day The Tribune broke the PU overhaul story that triggered a political storm in Punjab and Chandigarh. Even after the Centre’s U-turn, issuing four notifications within a week (October 30-November 7) to completely roll back the controversial restructuring plan, students remain firm: No withdrawal till the Senate election schedule is formally notified.

The PU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Renu Vig, and Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur met the protesters separately on Wednesday, but all efforts to defuse the crisis failed.

During the meeting, students repeated their charter of demands —immediate Senate poll notification under the pre-October 30 structure, withdrawal of FIRs against 14 students, and reversal of administrative SOPs introduced without student consultation.

Professor Vig told the students that the draft Senate poll schedule had been sent to Vice-President and PU Chancellor CP Radhakrishnan for approval. “The University respects democratic expression and will consider all genuine demands sympathetically,” she said. The SSP warned that while peaceful protest would be allowed, “any unlawful act will be dealt with strictly as per law.” Students responded that they would remain peaceful but “resolute.”

Tensions rose as a section of Haryana students and alumni objected to remarks made by a few Punjab-based groups during the protest that “PU belongs to Punjab”. They accused Punjab-based organisations of “hijacking” the movement and announced withdrawal of their support.

“PU was established in Lahore in 1882, long before Partition. It was a joint university for undivided Punjab — of which Haryana was a part before 1966. We demand Haryana’s share and affiliation rights,” said Mohit Manderna, PUCSC joint secretary, distancing himself from the protest.

Following suit, some Himachal Pradesh students and alumni also began calling for their state’s “rightful representation” in PU.

However, the PU Bachao Morcha rejected these inter-state claims, reiterating that “the movement is purely about saving the Senate and restoring PU’s democratic ethos.”

Dharna stays firm

Even as political, social, and cultural groups from across the region continued to visit the protest site, the students have vowed to skip classes, exams and academic work until their demands are met.

While NSUI national president Varun Choudhary could not reach the campus today, he sent a message extending solidarity and promised to join soon.

Security remains tight, with around 100 police personnel deployed inside and around PU, keeping a close watch to prevent escalation. Around 150-200 students were staging sit-in, many holding placards reading “Save Senate, Save PU”, at the VC office lawns.

Inter-state fissures

• Punjab voices call PU their “heritage”, demanding full control.
• Haryana and Himachal students/alumni want proportional representation and affiliation rights.
• Impact: Could polarise student sentiment but unlikely to derail the core agitation focused on Senate democracy.

#SavePU trends across states

The hashtag #SavePU stayed among the Top 5 trends across North India, with posts pouring in from areas of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

@SatinderSartaaj: “PU is our maa-boli’s temple of knowledge. Save its democratic soul.”

@ManishTewariMP: “Police action against peaceful students is shameful. PU belongs to all who built it with learning, not lathis.”

@HaryanaYouthForum: “PU is not Punjab-only — equal stake for all.”

@HimachalScholars: “Respect inclusivity, not politics.”

@PUSenateWatch: “From Senate to social media — democracy is the syllabus now.”