Two days following a flip-flop, the central government on Friday withdrew the notification for changing the constitution and composition of the Panjab University’s Senate and Syndicate.
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Student and faculty unions, though, welcomed the decision, but refused to relent until the official schedule for Senate election is announced.
Describing the decision a “significant victory” for the students, Gaurav Veer Sohal, president, Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), said that the withdrawal of the notification is a “major step toward restoring the democratic traditions” of Panjab University (PU).
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Archit Garg, former vice-president, Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), said that the withdrawal of the Senate notification is not a “favour” from the Centre, but “a result of students and stakeholders standing up for democracy”.
“For over a year, the central government has deliberately delayed the Senate elections to weaken the autonomous character of Panjab University. Our protest will continue till the democratic rights of this campus are fully restored and the Senate elections are conducted without further political interference,” Garg said.
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Both Manika, a leader of PSU-Lalkaar, and SOPU’s Avtar Singh insisted that the struggle will continue till the schedule of the Senate elections is announced.
“The Ministry of Education has issued a notice annulling the amendments made in the Senate, which represents a significant achievement and a step forward in our ongoing movement. However, it is important to clarify that the primary objective of the protest by Panjab University Bachao Morcha is to ensure the announcement of elections for the original 91-member Senate. The demonstration shall continue until the official declaration of these elections,” Avtar said.
“The protest will be concluded only after the elections for the 91-member Senate are formally announced. There is no change in the gathering scheduled for November 10. Until the announcement of the 91-member Senate elections, the Morcha will continue to unveil its new programmes, and this struggle will persist with full determination, unity, and spirit,” he added.
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Professor Rajat Sandhir, former Senator, hoped that elections would be declared soon “so that the governing body is in place and PU makes rapid strides in its journey to become a global player”.
Describing the notification a “dictatorial order”, Professor Tarun Ghai, president, Association of United College Teachers, Punjab and Chandigarh, said that the now-withdrawn move by the Centre weakened the Senate and Syndicate of the university.
“This is a victory for democratic institutions and for the faith of Punjab’s youth in democratic values. Our teachers’ association welcomes this decision,” Ghai concluded.
