CHANDIGARH, November 11, 2025 – The fight for democracy at Panjab University (PU) has entered a new, volatile phase. What began as a student demand for immediate Senate elections escalated dramatically on Monday, spilling out of the classrooms and onto the streets, and has now found its way into the courtroom.
Despite the Union Ministry of Education rescinding its controversial order to restructure the Senate last week, students and political stakeholders are refusing to back down, insisting that the government must provide a concrete date for the long-pending elections. The lack of a firm schedule has fueled a deep distrust, culminating in a dramatic ‘university shutdown’ and mass mobilization that signals a profound struggle for institutional autonomy.
Monday’s Showdown: Storming the Campus
Monday was marked by an unprecedented surge of protestors who broke through police barricades and scaled the main gates of the university. It was a chaotic scene where student dissent was rapidly overtaken by external political and Panthic elements:
- The Incursion: Led by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM), thousands—many identified as farmers, Panthic activists, and leaders from political parties—overran the campus. The Chandigarh Police, despite heavy deployment, resorted to a brief lathicharge but ultimately struggled to contain the massive crowds.
- The Shift in Slogans: The Vice-Chancellor, Renu Vig, expressed outrage, stating that the protest had ceased to be about the Senate. Slogans like “Go Back, Chandigarh Police” were quickly supplemented by cries of “Panjab University, Punjab Di,” turning the governance dispute into a major political and identity issue.
- The Continued Agitation: Students and supporting organizations, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), have vowed to continue their agitation until the election schedule for the original 91-member Senate is officially announced.
The Status Today: A Waiting Game
As of Tuesday, November 12, the situation remains a tense standoff:
- Campus Security: Heavy security remains deployed across the campus, particularly near the Vice-Chancellor’s office, though normal academic activity remains impacted.
- The Schedule is Submitted: University authorities have confirmed that they have prepared a detailed Senate election schedule and have submitted it to the Vice-President of India, C P Radhakrishnan (the Chancellor of the University), for final approval.
- Students’ Skepticism: The Vice-Chancellor’s announcement has done little to placate the protestors, who recall past delays and political interference. Their unified stance is: “We want action, not promises.”
Taking the Fight to the High Court
The crisis has also landed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Two petitioners approached the court yesterday, requesting an immediate order for the university to announce the Senate election dates. Their plea warns that the continued absence of an elected Senate—whose term ended over a year ago—leaves all governing power concentrated in the hands of the Vice-Chancellor, violating the university’s democratic statutes.
The High Court is expected to take up the matter soon, injecting a legal dimension into a fight that has until now been purely political. The fate of PU’s 143-year-old democratic tradition now hangs in the balance, resting between the Chancellor’s pen, the High Court’s ruling, and the continued resolve of the students on the ground.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why are the students protesting now, even after the Centre rescinded the restructuring order?
The students are protesting because, while the Centre withdrew the controversial order (which would have reduced the Senate’s size and abolished elected seats), the university administration has still not announced the date for the Senate elections. The elections have been pending since the last Senate’s term expired in October 2024. Students view the continued delay as a deliberate attempt to undermine the democratic body.
Q2: What is the Panjab University Senate and why is it so important?
The Senate is the highest governing body of Panjab University. It comprises professors, principals, teachers, and crucially, members elected by registered university graduates. It is responsible for making policy, approving the budget, and safeguarding the university’s academic autonomy and democratic character.
Q3: Who is currently holding up the election schedule?
The university administration has submitted the proposed election schedule to the Chancellor of Panjab University, who is the Vice-President of India. The schedule requires his final approval before it can be formally announced.
Q4: Which external groups have joined the protest?
The core protest is led by student bodies under the Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM). However, the movement has been joined by powerful external groups, including various Farmer Unions (like the SKM), Panthic outfits, and politicians from various parties, broadening the issue into one of Punjab’s administrative control over the university.
