Panjab University (PU) in Chandigarh has officially declared that all scheduled examinations will proceed on Monday, November 26, despite a complete shutdown call by student groups. The university has instructed all departments to remain open as a working day, setting the stage for a potential confrontation.
Standoff Over Senate Election Notification
The core of the dispute is the delay in notifying the schedule for the highly anticipated Senate elections. The protesting student collective, the PU Bachao Morcha, is demanding the university chancellor issue the election notification immediately. They have called for a total shutdown on November 26 and plan to gherao the administrative block in the evening to escalate their demand.
This marks the second time this month that academic schedules and protest actions have directly clashed. In a similar scenario earlier, protesting students had announced that no exams would be allowed on campus from November 15. This led the university administration to postpone examinations scheduled for November 18, 19, and 20 after receiving assurances from the agitators of a peaceful atmosphere until November 25.
University Takes a Firm Stance
With the November 25 peace assurance deadline now expired, the university is taking a firm stand to prevent further academic disruption. Registrar YP Verma stated unequivocally that the institution cannot let examinations be hindered again. "We cannot let examinations be hindered. Students must not suffer for these matters," Verma said. He confirmed that the university is coordinating with the police to ensure that students can reach their examination centres without any obstruction.
Echoing this sentiment, Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig appealed for restraint, assuring that the notification for the Senate elections will be issued by the chancellor's office in due time. She emphasized that the academic environment should not be disturbed.
Anxious Staff and Security Concerns
The situation has created anxiety among the university's administrative staff, who recall a past incident on November 4 when the administrative block was forcibly shut down. Employees were asked to leave, halting work for hours. Staff members reported that large crowds, including many outsiders, had raised significant safety concerns, particularly for women employees.
The PU Non-Teaching Staff Association has also voiced its opposition to the proposed shutdown. The association warned that the repeated disruption of administrative work is fostering a sense of insecurity among the employees.
In anticipation of the dual events of examinations and protests, security deployment on the campus is expected to be significantly high on Wednesday. While the university reiterates its commitment to conducting exams without delay, protesters insist their agitation will only intensify until the Senate election notification is formally issued.
