CHANDIGARH – Panjab University has postponed all examinations scheduled between November 18 and 20 . The university announced the decision following widespread student protests. These protests demand the immediate announcement of the schedule for Senate elections. Panjab University Controller of Examinations, Jagat Bhushan, confirmed the postponement in a statement released Saturday. He advised that revised dates for the affected examinations would be communicated to students in due course. Students are instructed to regularly monitor the university’s official communication channels for these critical updates.
Student Demands Drive Postponement
The university’s action directly responds to escalating student agitation. Students declared they would boycott all scheduled exams. They also threatened to prevent examinations from taking place if their primary demand was not met. This core demand centers on the announcement of the Senate poll schedule. The university’s Senate elections have not been conducted for over a year, creating a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding the institution’s governance. On November 12 , representatives from the protesting student body held a direct meeting with the university’s Vice Chancellor (VC).
Following this meeting, student leaders reported receiving assurances from the VC. They claimed the VC indicated that the Senate poll schedule, which requires approval from the Chancellor, would soon receive clearance. Ashmeet Singh, who serves as the Vice President of the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC), reiterated the students’ firm stance. He affirmed that the protest movement would continue without interruption until the university officially released the Senate election schedule.
Origins of the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’
The ongoing student protests are organized under the banner of the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ (Save Panjab University Front). Students have concentrated their agitation near the Vice Chancellor’s office. The movement initially began in opposition to a central government decision. This decision involved a proposed restructuring of Panjab University’s governing bodies: the Senate and the Syndicate. These bodies are fundamental to the university’s administration and academic oversight.
Significant pressure from various political leaders and the student protesters led to a critical development. On November 7 , the Ministry of Education formally withdrew its prior notification, issued on October 28 . This notification had outlined the controversial changes to the constitution and composition of the Senate and Syndicate. Despite this victory, students did not conclude their agitation. Instead, they intensified their efforts. Protesters declared a “university shutdown” for Monday, aiming to exert maximum pressure for their renewed demand: the immediate scheduling of the Senate polls.
Widespread Political and Social Support
The student movement has garnered substantial support from a broad spectrum of political parties and social organizations within Punjab. Major political entities, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Indian National Congress, have publicly extended their backing to the students. Furthermore, prominent farmer bodies, such as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), SKM (Non-Political), and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Morcha, have also voiced their solidarity with the ongoing agitation.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, visited the protesting students on Saturday. During his visit, he issued a strong appeal. Badal urged all political parties and social organizations to set aside their differences and form a united front to address the critical issues facing Panjab University. He emphasized the necessity of conveying a clear and unified message that the people of Punjab would oppose any attempts to “take away” the university from the state.
Badal highlighted Panjab University’s deep significance. He described it as a vital symbol of the state’s identity and stated that the current situation was “deeply emotional” for Punjabis. The SAD president, who studied at the university for four years, framed the situation as an initial attempt to seize a prestigious institution within Punjab. He cautioned that such actions could pave the way for further efforts to alter the character of Chandigarh. Badal also announced plans for a SAD-led delegation to meet the Vice President of India soon, seeking the Vice President’s direct intervention in this critical matter.