Congress Leaders Decry Police Action on Student Protesters
The Punjab Congress has strongly condemned the police lathicharge on students of Panjab University in Chandigarh who were staging peaceful demonstrations to press for their demands. The incident has sparked widespread criticism from state political leaders who have also raised serious concerns about jurisdictional breaches by police forces.
State Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa have taken strong exception to what they describe as excessive police force against unarmed students. Both leaders have expressed complete solidarity with the protesting students and demanded immediate action regarding their concerns.
Jurisdictional Breach by Haryana Police
In a significant development that has escalated tensions, Congress leaders have objected to the presence of Haryana Police personnel in Mohali, alleging they crossed state boundaries to prevent protesters from reaching Chandigarh. "This is unacceptable as they have breached the jurisdiction of Punjab," both Warring and Bajwa asserted in their statements.
The leaders emphasized that the Punjab government must lodge a formal protest with the Haryana government for this breach of territorial jurisdiction. Warring specifically referred to media visuals showing Haryana police officers operating within Punjab borders, calling it a serious violation that requires strong resistance.
Historical Significance of Panjab University
Warring highlighted the deep emotional connection Punjab residents have with Panjab University, tracing its origins back to nineteenth century Lahore. "Don't take it as a routine or a casual administrative matter," he warned, pointing to the historical significance of the institution that makes the current situation particularly sensitive.
The Congress leader criticized the central government's decision to scrap the Senate and Syndicate, followed by delays in conducting elections. "First the central government took an unnecessary and uncalled for measure to scrap the Senate and the Syndicate and now it has been avoiding elections," Warring stated, adding that students were "brutally manhandled" when they demanded time-bound election schedules.
Bajwa expressed being "deeply anguished" by what he termed "shocking police brutality unleashed on peaceful students." In a statement posted on X, he said, "The students' protest stems from a genuine fear — that the central government is trying to strip Punjab of its historic university. The voice of the youth cannot be silenced."
The Congress party has demanded a time-bound schedule for the announcement of PU Senate elections and has pledged full support to the students' peaceful demonstration. The leaders warned that the situation requires serious attention rather than being treated as routine administrative matter, given the strong public sentiment attached to the university.
