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Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: PU puts a ban on Holi celebrations at Student Centre
Panjab University (PU) has decided to ban Holi celebrations at the Student Centre from the upcoming academic session (2025-26). This comes in the backdrop of a student, Aditya Thakur's murder during a fest and reports of rowdy behaviour during Holi celebrations earlier this year. A committee, headed by Nandita Singh which is looking after the functioning of the dean student welfare (DSW) office, has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for organising events on campus. The panel was formed after the DSW was asked to step down temporarily amid inquiry into Thakur's murder on March 28. As per the SOPs, Holi celebrations are banned at the Student Centre on the day of Holi and the day prior to it. Celebrations will, however, be allowed in departments a day prior to the festival with permission from the chairperson and the dean of university instructions (DUI). Outsiders will strictly not be allowed. The SOPs also mention that DJ systems will not be allowed for general events at Student Centre anymore. The decision has been taken in view of the events in March when DJ systems allegedly breached the permissible sound levels. Vice-chancellor Renu Vig has confirmed that she has approved the committee's SOPs and forwarded them for implementation. Star nights banned too The SOPs have also officially confirmed that star nights on campus are now a thing of the past. PU vice-chancellor had already announced this in the aftermath of Aditya Thakur's murder. The annual Vimarsh fest will now have debates on contemporary issues while Scitron fest will have a science exhibition. These will both be organised in February. While it was learned that PUCSC members were spending as much as ₹25 lakh to organise such star nights, no student council member will be allowed to bring cash sponsorship to organise such exorbitantly priced events. Stalls put up during such events will also be allotted through a centralised system maintained by the DSW for transparency. A separate bank account will be maintained by the DSW for collection of sponsorship and stall rent. The account will be audited yearly. Now the vice-chancellor, the DSW and DUI can cancel any student fest if the situation is not conducive. Aditya Thakur, 22, a second-year student of computer science engineering at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology, along with three other students, was stabbed by some unidentified persons at a concert held at PU's South Campus in March this year. He succumbed to his injuries later this year. PU also had to cancel singer-rapper Arjan Dhillon's performance at the last minute due to inadequate preparation. Two Holi parties organised by Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal had also come under the scanner as there were complaints that the DJ systems were playing above permissible limits and there was little check on entry by outsiders. Videos of outsiders scaling the PU wall during Holi celebrations had gone viral on social media. PU has not taken any action for the events that transpired on these two days even now, with some students also alleging that incidents of sexual harassment took place during the celebrations.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Time of India
PU security chief, DSW officials return; fact-finding report submitted
Chandigarh: Following an internal inquiry conducted after the murder of UIET student Aditya Thakur during a campus concert, Panjab University is set to reinstate its student welfare officials, who were relieved of duty in the aftermath, pending inquiry. The fact-finding committee, constituted by the university, has submitted its report, recommending changes to event safety, emergency preparedness, and internal coordination. Those returning include dean student welfare (DSW) Prof Amit Chauhan, DSW (Women) Prof Simrit Kahlon, Associate DSW Prof Naresh, and chief of university security Vikram Singh. While the DSW team has resumed office, Singh is expected to return after about a week — once new standard operating procedures (SOPs) on security are finalised. To bridge the gap between campus security and the student community, and to improve real-time coordination during student events, the vice-chancellor has appointed Prof Dinesh Kumar Bishnoi from the department of laws as the new faculty incharge of security. The move is aimed at ensuring that concerns related to safety, discipline, and student conduct are addressed more promptly. Aditya Thakur, a second-year engineering student, died after being stabbed during a crowded concert of Haryanvi singer Masoom Sharma on March 28. The incident, involving outsiders, triggered outrage over the lack of safety measures and prompted dual inquiries—one by the university and another ordered by the deputy commissioner, led by the SDM. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo According to sources, the committee also flagged the need for improved coordination among senior university officials. A university source said the panel had found signs of internal friction and advised structural clarity. Vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig said, "We are committed to doing everything necessary to improve student safety. The committee's recommendations will be implemented in full spirit. With the DSW office back in place, we can now better handle upcoming student activities like farewells and admissions, where students were facing inconvenience." The SDM-led inquiry ordered by the Deputy Commissioner on April 1 had initially been given a two-week deadline, but nearly a month later, the report is still awaited. As the university begins to act on its internal findings, focus will also remain on the outcome of the official administrative probe and whether it prompts further accountability. BOX- Recommendations The university's internal committee, headed by Prof Nandita Singh, has made wide-ranging recommendations • Mandatory ambulances with medical staff and driver at large student gatherings • A shift away from risky star nights toward promotion of student-led performances • Restrictions on public-entry events inside the campus • Clearly defined SOPs for event planning and security coordination
