PU Senate move shows anti-Punjab stance of BJP: Balbir Sidhu

Former Health Minister and Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu has condemned the BJP-led Central Government’s move to end Punjab’s representation in the Syndicate and Senate of Panjab University, saying that this decision once again exposes the BJP’s anti-Punjab face.

Sidhu stated that on the pretext of improving the functioning of Panjab University, the Central Government has almost eliminated the representation of teachers, principals and alumni in its Syndicate and Senate. He said this historic institution of Punjab was now “Panjab University” in name only, as it had been turned into a fully central university.

Sidhu cautioned that if Punjab-centric forces do not unite and launch a struggle, the day was not far when Haryana officials would also be included in the management of the university and all colleges of Ambala district would be affiliated to it.

‘Curtailing Senate strength blow to federal structure’

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has condemned the decision to reduce the number of Senate members of Punjab University, terming it “most unfortunate and a direct attack on the federal structure of the nation”.

Interacting with the media after inaugurating a South Indian café at Phase 3B2, Mohali, he said that PU carried the rich legacy of Punjab and could not be left at the mercy of the Centre. He emphasised that the Senate represented a democratic framework to manage the university’s day-to-day functioning, and any attempt by the Centre to curtail its strength amounted to interference in the democratic rights of the people of Punjab.

Kang terms it dictatorial

Jagmohan Singh Kang, former member of the Senate and Syndicate of PU, said that the decision by the Union government to abolish the Senate and Syndicate was not only against the democratic structure, values and principles, but it was also against the historical university, high-level education and administration. It was absolutely dictatorial and very unfortunate.