The ongoing agitation at Panjab University has taken a significant turn as protest organizers announced they would shift their demonstrations off-campus following continued inaction from the chancellor's office regarding senate elections.
From Campus to Political Offices: Protest Strategy Shifts
The PU Bachao Morcha declared on Wednesday that their next phase of agitation would move beyond university boundaries. The group revealed plans to coordinate gheraos of BJP offices in Chandigarh and multiple districts across Punjab on December 3, marking a strategic escalation in their protest methods.
Wednesday marked the 25th consecutive day of protests, with the formal shift in strategy coming after three previous shutdown calls resulted in negotiated stand-downs, examination postponements, and university-declared holidays. Morcha leaders confirmed that there would be no immediate shutdown calls inside Panjab University, indicating a temporary pause in campus disruptions.
Growing Support and Security Preparations
The announcement came during an evening gathering at the protest site, where earlier in the day various student groups, farmer representatives, and social organizations had addressed supporters. A morcha leader emphasized that the movement now requires broader mobilization to effectively pressure decision-makers.
"We will be speaking to farmer unions, and also to student bodies in other universities and colleges across Punjab, to build support for December 3," the leader stated. The morcha reported that Wednesday's turnout exceeded their expectations, with approximately 1,000 supporters participating throughout the day.
The gathering remained peaceful despite heavy security presence that included:
- Chandigarh Police personnel
- Rapid Action Force units
- ITBP forces stationed at multiple points
This security deployment followed earlier confrontations that had occurred during the month-long protest period.
Examination Disruptions and Temporary Pauses
The decision to move protests off-campus follows escalating tensions over the past two weeks, during which Panjab University twice postponed examinations. The initial postponement affected exams scheduled for November 18, 19, and 20, with a second postponement occurring on Wednesday following shutdown calls and brief blockades.
The morcha had previously provided temporary assurances of calm until November 25 and has now extended that pause until December 2. This extension provides a brief window of normalcy before the planned off-campus demonstrations commence.
With no Senate election notification yet issued by the chancellor's office, the movement is positioned to test whether the issue can gain traction beyond Panjab University's boundaries. The December 3 gheraos will represent the first protest action led by the morcha conducted off-campus since the agitation began nearly a month ago.
The strategic shift indicates growing frustration among protesters and suggests a potential expansion of the movement's reach across Punjab. The involvement of farmer unions and other student organizations could significantly amplify the protest's impact as December 3 approaches.
