PU unrest : Dialogue necessary
The Tribune Editorial: The situation evokes memories of the farmers’ agitation against the now-repealed farm laws, when the lack of prior dialogue bred alienation and distrust.
PANJAB University (PU) has long been regarded as a beacon of higher education, shaped by a participatory governance model that balanced autonomy with accountability. The Senate and Syndicate, envisaged under the Panjab University Act of 1947, have given faculty, alumni and students a voice in decision-making. This legacy must not be casually set aside. The Centre’s proposal to restructure PU’s governance and increase its administrative oversight has stirred unease across the campus and beyond. What could have been a constructive exercise has instead taken on emotional and political dimensions, leading to protests and unrest. Much of the resistance stems not from opposition to reform itself, but from the perception that decisions are being taken without consultation with stakeholders.
