The Panjab University campus turned into a fortress on Monday as student organisations and employee unions observed a “PU Bandh,” demanding the immediate announcement of long-pending senate elections. Police deployment was intensified across the university, with barricades at all major entry points and restricted movement inside the campus.
The bandh call, supported by several student and teachers’ bodies, came amid growing frustration over the delay in holding the senate elections, the core representative body of the university whose term ended last year. The protestors accused the authorities of deliberately stalling the process despite repeated assurances that polls would be held soon.
By early morning, security personnel sealed all campus gates except the main entry, where only limited access was permitted. Police buses and riot-control vehicles were stationed nearby to prevent any untoward incident. Classes were suspended for the day, and even administrative offices functioned with skeletal staff as protestors gathered at the varsity gates shouting slogans against the administration and the Ministry of Education.
The agitation follows days of discontent after the Centre’s controversial notification on October 28 that sought to restructure the university’s governance system by replacing elected members of the senate and syndicate with nominees. The move was seen by many as an attempt to curb the university’s autonomy, sparking widespread protests from teachers, students, and alumni.
Although the Centre withdrew the notification on November 7 following sustained opposition, student groups said the rollback was “not enough” and vowed to continue their agitation until the election schedule is officially released. “We will not end our protest until the democratic functioning of the university is fully restored,” said a student leader participating in the bandh.
Faculty members echoed the same sentiment, calling for transparency and immediate restoration of the university’s elected bodies. “The senate is the soul of Panjab University’s governance. Keeping it in limbo for over a year is unjustified,” said one professor.
Even at the time of filing this report, sources said police are maintaining a tight vigil as sporadic sit-ins continued at different points on the campus. The administration, meanwhile, appealed to the students to maintain peace and assured that discussions with higher authorities were underway.