PU student dharna enters Day 24, all eyes on ‘Gurpurab deadline’

Panjab University’s (PU) indefinite student dharna entered its 24th day on Monday, with the campus bracing for either a historic shutdown or a celebration on November 26, depending on whether the long-delayed Senate election schedule is notified by tomorrow.

Morcha leaders expressed cautious optimism that the announcement may come on November 25, coinciding with the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. They drew parallels to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to repeal the three contentious farm laws on Gurpurab (November 19, 2021) after a year-long nationwide agitation.

The Tribune had reported on the PU overhaul on November 1, triggering a fierce political firestorm in Punjab and Chandigarh that forced the Centre to withdraw its restructuring move within a week. Despite the rollback, the Senate poll notification has not been issued, even two weeks after the PU Vice-Chancellor sent the recommendation to the Chancellor on November 9.

Morcha leader Avtar Singh said Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu’s assurance to The Tribune that Senate election dates “will be announced in the next few days” had strengthened hopes of a Gurpurab breakthrough. He added that if the notification arrives tomorrow, “November 26 will become a fateh rally, not a bandh.”

However, Singh reiterated that November 26 semester exams must be postponed regardless of whether the notification is issued. “Hundreds of students have been on dharna 24x7. It is impossible for them to appear for exams the very next day even if our main demand is accepted,” he said.

The morcha warned of a possible confrontation, referring to a circular from the Dean University Instruction, declaring November 26 a working day and directing faculty to report for duty from 9 am to 5 pm with examinations “as per schedule”.

“If the varsity remains adamant on holding exams or obstructs celebrations in case the notification comes, the responsibility for any escalation will rest solely with the PU authorities. Our peaceful protest must not be mistaken for weakness,” leaders cautioned, urging the administration to defer exams “in the larger interest of the university”.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig chaired a meeting of all department chairpersons to review academic planning and admission preparations. The administration expressed hope of an early decision on Senate polls and appealed to students to “exercise restraint and prefer dialogue over confrontation”.

HOW PU REACHED TIPPING POINT

Oct 30-Nov 7: Centre issues four notifications restructuring PU governance

Nov 1: The Tribune breaks the overhaul story; protests erupt

Nov 7: Centre withdraws overhaul move amid statewide uproar

Nov 1-24: Indefinite dharna continues; massive political, social, and farmers’ support builds.

Nov 10: Unprecedented PU students’ uprising erupts — the largest youth mobilisation in recent memory

Nov 20: Over 50 organisations join mega meeting; Nov 26 bandh announced if Senate poll schedule delayed

Nov 24: Dean issues circular declaring Nov 26 a working day with exams; Morcha warns of confrontation if not deferred

Nov 25: The deadline — all eyes on the Chancellor

WHAT NEXT 24 HOURS MEAN

If Senate poll notification is issued tomorrow:

– Nov 26 becomes a victory (fateh) rally

– Demand for postponement of Nov 26 exams remains

– Tension may ease if exams are deferred; confrontation likely if not

If notification is not issued tomorrow:

– PU will face a total bandh on Nov 26

– Protests will spread to all PU-affiliated colleges across Punjab

– Political pressure on the Centre will escalate sharply

– Possibility of statewide marches, rallies, and coordinated actions