Panjab University's Jhankar Fest Plans Star Nights Despite Campus Ban
Even as Panjab University's standard operating procedures (SOPs), drafted after a student was murdered on campus during a festival last year, explicitly stipulate a ban on "star nights" during campus events, preparations for the upcoming Jhankar fest indicate such performances are being actively planned. The four-day festival, organized by the PU Campus Students Council (PUCSC) and scheduled from March 15 to 18, is lining up musical evenings featuring three regional performers.
Confirmed and Proposed Performances
Organizers have officially announced that Himachali singer Kuldeep Sharma will perform on the Law Grounds on Monday as part of what is being termed the 'Himachali star night'. Sources within the organizing team reveal that the same venue is likely to host additional performances by a Punjabi Sufi artist and a Haryanvi singer, with the Punjabi Sufi act expected to be one of the festival's highlights.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) unit is reportedly coordinating with the performers for these musical evenings. PUCSC president Gaurav Veer Sohal had previously committed to organizing a star night within the main campus during Jhankar, though the choice of venue has been a point of discussion. Interestingly, sources note that the initial Punjabi Sufi artist approached for the event declined to perform at the Law Grounds, which organizers first proposed. However, this ground is now confirmed for Kuldeep Sharma's performance and is likely to remain the venue for other star night events during the fest.
Historical Context and Safety Concerns
The Law Grounds hosted a major star night during Jhankar last year, where more than 15,000 people gathered for a performance by Punjabi singer Arjan Dhillon. That event was abruptly called off on the spot due to crowd management concerns. During the same PUCSC tenure, another proposed star night featuring singer Gurdas Mann, planned under then vice-president Archit Garg, was cancelled before it could take place.
Large cultural gatherings at Panjab University have been under intense scrutiny since a violent clash during a campus fest last year led to the death of student Aditya Thakur. This tragic incident highlighted serious issues regarding crowd management, the entry of outsiders, and overall safety during large-scale events on campus. In response, the university framed comprehensive SOPs to regulate festivals, including specific provisions for security arrangements, permissions, and crowd control, with a clear clause announcing a ban on star nights.
Current Preparations and Ongoing Discussions
Despite these restrictions, star night performances continue to be among the most anticipated segments of PUCSC festivals, consistently drawing large crowds to the campus. With Jhankar set to begin this weekend, preparations for the musical evenings are actively underway, even as the provisions of the SOPs remain under discussion among university authorities and student organizers. The situation underscores the tension between maintaining campus safety protocols and meeting student expectations for entertainment during cultural festivals.
