Panjab University Forced to Shut Down Amid Growing Student Unrest
In a significant development, Panjab University authorities have declared a complete holiday on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, following intensifying student protests demanding the conduct of long-pending Senate elections. The university administration has suspended all teaching, non-teaching, and office activities across the campus in response to the protest call given by student organizations.
Examinations Postponed Amid Campus Shutdown
The university administration issued an official statement confirming that all examinations scheduled for November 26 at four key examination centers - CHD40, CHD41, CHD43, and CHD44 - located on the PU Campus in Sector 14 have been postponed. These examinations were originally shifted to DAV College in Sector 10, Chandigarh, but now stand cancelled until further notice.
The fresh dates for conducting these postponed examinations will be announced separately by the university authorities, according to the official communication released on Tuesday. This decision marks a complete reversal from the university's earlier stance that November 26 would remain a working day with mandatory attendance for all teaching staff and department heads from 9 am to 5 pm.
Escalating Student Protest Movement
The student agitation, organized under the banner of Panjab University Bachao Morcha, had called for a complete shutdown of the university to press for their primary demand - the announcement of a concrete schedule for Senate elections that haven't been conducted for over a year. The protesting students had warned that they would forcibly close Gate numbers 1 and 2 of the university to enforce their shutdown call.
This protest movement gained momentum after a massive demonstration on November 10, where agitators stormed the university's entry gates and engaged in physical confrontations with security personnel. The initial phase of protests was launched against the Central government's decision to restructure Panjab University's governing bodies - the Senate and Syndicate.
However, the Ministry of Education withdrew its controversial October 28 notification on November 7 following mounting pressure from political leaders and protesting students. Despite this concession, student representatives have refused to end their agitation, insisting that their main demand for announcing Senate election schedules remains unfulfilled.
Political Support and Administrative Response
The student movement has garnered significant political backing from major Punjab-based parties including Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, and farmers' organizations such as Samyukta Kisan Morcha, SKM (Non-Political), and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Morcha.
Earlier, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig had attempted to de-escalate the situation by urging faculty members to counsel students who might attempt to disrupt examinations. In her statement on Monday, Prof Vig acknowledged that while protesters have a democratic right to express dissent, students wishing to appear for examinations have an equal right to do so without obstruction.
Student representatives had previously met with the Vice-Chancellor, who informed them that the Senate poll schedule had been sent for approval to the Chancellor, who happens to be the country's Vice-President. However, protesting students maintain that until their primary demand is met, their agitation will continue unabated.
The situation remains tense at Panjab University as authorities and student leaders navigate this ongoing confrontation over democratic representation in the university's governance structure.
