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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Amid backlash over PU renaming demand, PUCSC prez shelves proposal, issues apology
Chandigarh: Facing intense criticism from students, alumni, and political voices across Punjab, Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal has decided not to submit his proposal seeking to rename Panjab University as 'Panjab and Haryana University'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The proposal, which had drawn support from Rohtak MP , has been stalled amid growing opposition. Dalal, in a video uploaded on social media, issued an apology. "I am not into divisive things… if anyone felt bad, I apologise," he said. Though the proposal had not yet been submitted to the vice-chancellor, Dalal confirmed he would not be going ahead with it. The move has triggered strong reactions from former Panjab University student leaders. Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang, who served as PUCSC president in 2002 and 2003, said, "Panjab University is not just an academic institution — it is Punjab's cultural, emotional and historical legacy. Its name reflects our identity before and after Partition." Kang pointed out that Haryana's colleges had voluntarily disaffiliated from Panjab University in 1973, and said demands to rename it now were unconstitutional and baseless. Congress leader and former PU student leader Brinder Dhillon also slammed the demand, calling it "an attack on the legacy of Punjabi language and heritage". He said the name Panjab University carries the weight of sacrifice and shared memory and should not be tampered with for political optics. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda had earlier endorsed the renaming idea, saying it would acknowledge Haryana's contribution and that he would raise the matter in Parliament. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Several leaders from Punjab, cutting across party lines, rejected the statement. AAP and BJP both termed it an insult to Punjab's heritage. Despite the growing backlash, Hooda has not issued any clarification. Repeated attempts to reach him for comment went unanswered. The backlash extended into student politics. PUCSC vice president Archit Garg publicly opposed the proposal, calling it "unnecessary and disconnected from student needs". Dalal's former election ally Sikander Boora also criticised the move. Several members of Dalal's own party, Student Front, voiced dissent, with some describing the proposal as "a distraction from real student issues". AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said some leaders were resorting to stunts instead of addressing real issues, while BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal called the renaming proposal "an affront to Punjab's identity".
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On last day, campus council president calls for renaming Panjab University to also include Haryana
With the term of the Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) ending on Thursday, outgoing president Anurag Dalal, hailing from Haryana, has submitted a memorandum to Panjab University (PU) vice-chancellor Renu Vig to change the varsity's name to 'Panjab and Haryana University'. At the same time, PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg, who hails from Punjab, opposed the move. Congress' Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, who backed Anurag's proposal, said he would place the issue in Parliament in its next session. As per the memorandum, Dalal has pointed out both Punjab and Haryana share historical and cultural, and that it aligns with the already existing nomenclature for the high court. Deepender Hooda said the council president had approached him, and the demand is genuine. 'It will mean a lot for the students of Haryana to see their representation in PU, considering Chandigarh is also the capital of Haryana, not just Punjab,' he said. 'When 48% of the PU students are Haryanvis, it is their right that the name of Haryana be included.' He added that with the support of other Congress MPs, he will bring this issue in Parliament. Meanwhile, PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg said, 'Panjab University's name is iconic. It was the name we chose after the university was relocated from Pakistan. It has its own unique identity. Its name shouldn't be changed.' In 2023, during the varsity's fourth global alumni meet, Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar had also raked up the issue of PU affiliation to Haryana colleges in nearby districts, like Ambala and Yamunanagar. Three meetings chaired by former Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit with the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana earlier in 2023 remained inconclusive. At the time of the Punjab's reorganisation in 1966, PU was declared an 'inter-state body corporate' under Section 72 (1) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The affiliation issue has remained a bone of contention, with Haryana offering to bear up to 40% of the total annual expenses of the cash-strapped university in exchange for affiliation to some of the colleges in Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar districts, and Punjab refusing to budge from its stance that the varsity belongs to it alone. Then Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar had said in the meetings that under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, the colleges and regional centres of Haryana were affiliated to PU. However, the arrangement was withdrawn by Haryana in 1973. Citing National Education Policy and how colleges are even getting affiliated with international universities, Khattar had said Haryana's colleges again be affiliated with PU.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Panjab University pulls the plug on DJ parties on campus
Taking strong note of blaring music resulting in hooliganism and disturbance on the campus, Panjab University (PU) has banned the use of DJ systems at events organised by varsity departments. As per the order issued by the dean of university instruction, while PU has allowed the heads of various departments to continue to hold welcome and farewell parties, the use of DJ systems during such events is completely prohibited. Imposing further restrictions, PU has directed department chairpersons and all faculty members to be present during such gatherings, which should get over by 6 pm. In line with PU's 'no-outsider' stand, no one other than students and faculty will be allowed to attend the function. The chairperson and faculty members will be responsible for maintaining discipline and decorum during the event. Most major PU departments usually host a welcome party for the new batch once the session starts and for the departing batch before the examination season. Apart from ramp walks, DJ systems are a regular feature at these parties, which usually continue beyond 6 pm. The string of instructions come after the flurry of fests organised by the PU Campus Students Council in March. With the Holi celebration also falling in the middle of this, many complained of bigger ruckus at PU this year compared to previous years. A faculty member of the botany department, on the condition of anonymity, expressed that they had been unable to take classes properly during March due to the loud DJ system playing on the campus throughout the month. As per PU officials, there is a noise level limit of 50 decibels inside the campus, but this is constantly flouted. Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) leader Avtar Singh had highlighted how the loud music had become a nuisance for students who study at AC Joshi library. PUCSC president Anurag Dalal said while some students were feeling discouraged, such directions were the need of the hour. 'Considering all that has happened, such steps are needed. Students who want to dance and celebrate with loud music can do so outside PU. These rules are just for functions within the campus,' he said. Meanwhile, faculty members appeared divided over these developments. Panjab University Teachers' Association (PUTA) general secretary Mritunjay Kumar said the measures were a bit harsh and will affect the campus culture
