Farmer unions demand probe into ‘suicide rumour’ at Punjabi University

Tribune News Service

Mohit Khanna

Patiala, January 16

The atmosphere continues to be tense at Punjabi University as two student factions remain at loggerheads over the attack on a professor, which was followed by the suspension of 11 students.

One of the student factions that is supported by university teachers has been working under the banner “Punjabi University Patiala Morcha against violence on campus". This faction has been demanding the university to reinstate Professor Surjit Singh, who was suspended after a probe.

The case

Jashandeep Kaur, a first-year student of the five-year integrated course in Punjabi, died on the night of September 13 at her house in village Chauke in Bathinda district. The death led to outrage among students and led to protests on the university campus. Subsequently, the university removed the professor from the post of coordinator of the course.

However, the other faction, under the banner of “Jashanpreet Kaur Insaaf Morcha”, has been staging a “Pakka Dharna” (permanent protest) at the university entrance against the university authorities since December 18. This faction has been demanding a review of the suspension of the 11 students.

A delegation led by the president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, met Vice-Chancellor Arvind and demanded a probe to identify the people responsible for spreading the “rumour” that Jashandeep Kaur had died by suicide. The delegation also demanded Prof Surjit’s reinstatement.

On December 14, 11 students were suspended for their alleged involvement in the attack on Prof Surjit. This caused a student faction to hold a permanent protest on the campus.

The “Punjabi University Patiala Morcha against Violence on Campus" held a nine-day hunger strike in November, following which the university set up a committee to probe the attack. This faction said the probe and the suspension were the right steps by the university, as this would deter anyone who resorts to violence on the campus.

The other faction opposed the suspension of the 11 students and said that the university had dealt a psychological blow to them. Its members alleged that most of the suspended students were not given an opportunity to present their side of the story before the inquiry committee.

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