Tension as cops use mild force

After a massive show of strength, the protesters supporting the Panjab University Bachao Morcha announced to gather again, if their demand for the release of Senate poll notification is not met by the authorities. Tense moments were witnessed on the campus as leaders and activists of various organisations tried to forcibly enter the campus in the afternoon. The police used mild force on them.

The Tribune broke the story about the intended overhaul of the university, triggering cascading political reactions and campus unrest.

A peaceful protest that started in the morning turned violent as leaders and farmer activists forcibly entered the campus in the afternoon. However, the situation was controlled soon. While the students announced that they would continue their protest, the organisations, who supported the “PU Bandh”, left the campus by late evening.

“The protest will continue, and the representatives of other organisations will join us in the cause until the senate election notification is issued,” said a protesting student.

In the morning, the police barricaded the entry points and set up checkpoints on outside roads. The police resorted to using canes on protesters, including activists from Sikh organisations and farm unions, who were trying to forcibly enter the campus.

Meanwhile, soon after today’s protest, students representing Haryana in the university politics announced that they would make a representation to the Vice Chancellor.

While the representatives of the Haryana Students’ Association (HSA) said they would meet the VC, the INSO leaders claimed that the university belonged to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. Sources claimed, after today’s protest, regional differences had emerged on the campus and the authorities were planning to calm down the situation.

Unruly scenes

From ‘Save Panjab University, Save Senate’ to ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’ — today’s call for “PU Bandh” ended up with unruly scenes, never seen on the PU campus. The protesters barged into the campus as UT police made a futile attempt to stop them. Since morning, all three gates of the university were closed and were heavily guarded by the local police. Only Gate No 1 was partially opened where visitors were allowed to enter the campus only after producing valid documents. As the police stopped the outsiders, the protesters, who were already gathered at the protest site (outside the Vice-Chancellor’s Office) in thin members, marched towards Gate No 1.

While Kanwardeep Kaur, Chandigarh SSP, and Pushpinder Kumar, IG, tried to pacify the students, the protesters scaled the university gates and started raising slogans. Soon, they forcibly opened the gate, in the presence of the police. It was around 11 am, when the protesters entered the campus chanting, “Chandigarh Punjab Da, Panjab University Punjab di”. The police used some force and detained several students.

Meanwhile, another breach occurred at Gate No 2, when a group, including Tarsem Singh, father of MP Amritpal Singh; along with Kanwar Charat Singh, president, All-India Sikh Students’ Federation, managed to gain entry into the campus.

The protesters also made a similar attempt at Gate No 1, making a passage for more protestors, including Nihangs, to enter the campus. Thereafter, the entry to the university was open for all, and by the evening, a few tractors also arrived there.

Various political leaders, members of Punjab legislative assembly, former cabinet ministers, Punjabi singers and social activists gathered on the campus. The leaders not only raised the issue of Senate elections, but also appealed to the attendees to remain united on the issues related to ‘Punjab and its rights’.

Police use mild force

The campus residents had a harrowing time in carrying out their daily routine due to restrictions on exit and entry points. Gate No 1 witnessed traffic jams. The police used mild lathicharge outside Gate No 1 and 2. The sources claimed the cops were restrained from taking a tough action against the protesting students. As many as 50 organisations and students’ political groups had supported the protest.

Varsity closed today

By the evening, the protesters had left the campus and only students and those who are eyeing to contest the Senate elections stayed back. The university will remain closed on November 11, claimed the university authorities.

Anandpur Sahib MP Malwinder Singh Kang, former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, former Cabinet minister Parminder Dhindsa, MLAs Pargat Singh, Dinesh Chadha and Amritpal Singh Sukhanand, former MLAs Kulwinder Nagra and Dalwinder Singh Goldy, Punjab leaders Brinder Singh Dhillon, social activist Bhaana Sidhu, singer Inderjit Nikku, activists Lakha Sidhana, Amitoj Mann, representatives of Bhartiya Kisan Union and others participated in the protest.

Political battleground

A few leaders accused the BJP-led Central government of "grabbing" control of the varsity, while others blamed the AAP-led Punjab Government for failing to give adequate funds to PU.

"The university is not willing to conduct the elections. The authorities claim that the schedule has been prepared, but they have been at it for almost two years now," claimed a BKU representative.