Student Protest Intensifies at Panjab University
The ongoing standoff at Panjab University reached a critical point on Friday as student activists under the PU Bachao Morcha issued a firm November 18 deadline for the university administration to release the long-pending schedule for Senate elections. Student representatives declared that if their demand isn't met by this date, they will block all semester examinations, with the exception of those for candidates appearing under the golden chance category.
Expanding Protest Beyond Campus Boundaries
The student movement has set a second deadline of November 20, indicating plans to broaden the agitation beyond university premises. The morcha announced that a joint meeting will be held in Chandigarh on that day, bringing together kisan unions, teachers' associations, labor groups, and civil society organizations. This development signals the protest's potential expansion into Punjab's wider political and social landscape, potentially transforming it from a campus-specific issue to a broader movement.
"November 18 is final. We won't step back an inch until the election schedule is declared. If this takes a hundred days, we will sit for a hundred days," declared Ashmeet Singh, vice-president of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC). He emphasized the students' determination, stating that arrests and pressure tactics would not deter their movement, and clarified that Senate elections are not a favor but a mandatory requirement.
Administration's Firm Stance on Examinations
The university administration maintained its position that examinations scheduled to begin on November 18 will proceed as planned. PU Registrar Y P Verma asserted that the administration would ensure peaceful conduct of exams and stated that "students are not in a position to dictate terms to the university." He emphasized that academic work cannot be held hostage to electoral aspirations.
Verma pointed to the High Court's recent directions, which mandated that students must first return to classes for at least seven days before their case would be heard. He also warned that the administration would not tolerate a repeat of the November 10 disruption and would implement preventive security measures while taking action against students who lead such protest calls.
Political Dimensions and Accusations
Tensions escalated further following comments from Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, who stated that the Centre had withdrawn its PU notification within 48 hours "out of respect for student sentiments" while blaming "outsiders" for disturbing campus peace. The morcha responded strongly to these remarks, with Ashmeet Singh accusing the minister of lacking his own stand and simply following BJP leadership scripts without understanding ground realities.
The protestors also alleged that the university administration was attempting to divide the student movement by motivating Haryana students to withdraw from the protest, specifically pointing to the recent resignation of Mohit Manderana. The administration has denied these allegations.
As the November 18 deadline approaches, both students and administration appear prepared for a confrontation, with the future of semester examinations and the broader Senate election process hanging in the balance. The involvement of external social and political groups from November 20 onward could significantly alter the dynamics of this ongoing campus conflict.
