PU stir continues, show of strength today

Panjab University’s simmering unrest erupted into a full-scale mobilisation on Sunday as the students’ indefinite dharna entered its ninth day, drawing an extraordinary line-up of politicians, artists and civil society voices who pledged to march with them in Monday’s planned show of strength.

The Tribune had first exposed the Centre’s PU overhaul that triggered the political storm in Punjab and Chandigarh — a controversy that now shows no signs of ebbing even after the rollback.

Haryana students, alumni counter ‘PU belongs only to Punjab’ claim

Haryana-domicile students and alumni of Panjab University have issued a statement, rejecting what they termed “misleading and politically motivated claims” that the PU belongs exclusively to Punjab.

They said the PU’s history, geography and affiliation pre-1966 made it a shared institution, noting that many colleges now in Haryana were earlier affiliated to the university. “We are real stakeholders. We have studied here, paid fees, represented the PU in academics, research, sports and culture,” the statement said.

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Asserting Haryana’s “equal historical, academic and moral stake” in the PU, they demanded that any future reforms by the Centre must formally recognise Haryana’s share and ensure representation of genuine stakeholders in consultations. They cautioned against any political pressure group “trying to convert PU into a single-state institution”, adding that the university’s legacy must remain inclusive, not exclusionary.

On the campus, preparations for Monday’s rally were in overdrive. Student leaders accused the university administration and police of “using force and fear” to derail the mobilisation by blocking tents, sound systems and logistical supplies unless “approved” by the Vice Chancellor. They said fresh police deployment had turned the university “into a garrison” and alleged that barricades were being placed on the Punjab-Chandigarh border to prevent supporters from joining the march — calling it “undemocratic, illegal and a brazen attempt to muzzle the people’s voice”.

A cavalcade of leaders visited the dharna site through the day. Among them were Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh, MPs Dr Amar Singh and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Punjab Congress leader Dalvir Singh Goldy and Haryana farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni. All extended support and announced that they would join Monday’s march “in full strength”.

The highlight of the day was the arrival of noted Sufi singer and PU alumnus Satinder Sartaaj, who walked into a charged, emotional gathering. Thanking the Centre for withdrawing the PU overhaul, he said the struggle must continue “till the Senate elections are formally announced”. Calling the PU “my soil, my foundation, my history”, he dedicated a special song to the university and its students, vowing to stand shoulder to shoulder with them “till justice is done”.

By late evening, the PU Bachao Morcha released videos showing police allegedly blocking entry of tents and sound equipment, terming it “illegal, intimidatory and bound to fail”. The group said Monday’s rally would now be “bigger, louder and stronger than planned”.

Meanwhile, PU Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig confirmed that the university had formally initiated the Senate election process and sent the draft schedule to the Chancellor for approval. She urged students to end the protest and restore academic normalcy, but her appeal found no takers.

With emotions at a boil, political backing widening and administrative tensions rising, the stage is set for a dramatic showdown on Monday — one that will test both the campus and the Centre’s recalibrated stance.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Senate rollback has not cooled the campus. With the poll process only initiated, not approved, students see the pressure as essential to force timely elections. Monday’s showdown will likely determine whether the crisis stabilises or spirals into a larger state-level political flashpoint.