Heavy police deployment as Panjab University braces for shutdown
Heavy police deployment as Panjab University braces for shutdown
Protests erupt at Panjab University as students demand Senate polls; barricades, clashes, and a tense security ring around the campus amid the Centre's governance reform withdrawal.
Panjab University on Monday faced a tense standoff as students gathered on campus to demand the announcement of Senate polls, protesting the Centre’s decision to restructure the university’s governing bodies. Security forces ringed entry points around the Chandigarh-based campus, with barricades and checkpoints on roads leading into the campus, and officers used mild lathicharge to restore order as some protesters breached gates and raised slogans such as 'Go Back Chandigarh Police'.
The protest, led by Panjab University Bachao Morcha, drew support from farmer groups at the Chandigarh-Mohali border as authorities stepped up security. University authorities submitted a detailed Senate poll schedule to the Vice-President, who acts as Chancellor, for approval, but the agitation continued. The Centre's October 28 order to reconstitute the Senate and Syndicate was withdrawn on November 7, yet students remained determined to press for a clear timetable for elections that have not been held for more than a year.
Analysts say the demonstrations reflect broader tensions over governance of higher education in Punjab and India, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of diluting Panjab University’s autonomy. The security buildup and calls for a shutdown have kept the campus under tight watch, as Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur supervised the arrangements. The day’s events left the campus tense but generally under control, with officials emphasizing safety and orderly conduct.
As the day wore on, the mood around the campus stayed tense but under control, with officials stressing safety and orderly conduct. The outcome remains uncertain, but students and supporters say the push for a Senate election timetable will continue until they get a firm schedule.
Cover image source: Punjab University protests: Heavy police deployment made as university braces for shutdown 🔗
