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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Prohibitory orders likely ahead of PUCSC polls amid rising student violence
1 2 3 4 Chandigarh: With Panjab University likely to hold its PU Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) elections on Sept 4 or 5, the administration has started security preparations much earlier than usual. A meeting between the university and police officials, including the senior superintendent of police, is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the imposition of prohibitory orders around Aug 15 — a first for PU student elections. The move comes amid concerns over rising student violence on and off campus. Nearly 100 police personnel have already been deployed for security, with three permanent checkpoints established near the Administrative Block, Ankur School, and University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS). Police are checking vehicles, enforcing barricading, and monitoring student movement to restrict entry of outsiders. "This time, deployment is not symbolic. We are actively checking for weapons and other suspicious items, especially during evening hours," said a senior police officer posted on campus. The strict measures follow a series of violent clashes involving student groups in PU and other city colleges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Just a few days back, two FIRs were registered after rival groups clashed at GGDSD College in Sector 32. On April 28, SOPU factions fought at the PU Student Centre. On April 8, the Dalal camp and Joint Action Committee (JAC) clashed outside Boys Hostel No. 4. On March 28, PU student Aditya Thakur was murdered during a fest on the Sector 25 campus. In another case, on March 22, PUCSC joint secretary and others were booked following an ABVP-related brawl in Sector 15. Vice-chancellor Prof Renu Vig confirmed that the university has called the police meeting to finalise steps for ensuring peace. "Various student organisations have multiple factions and hence infighting. The past six months have seen many student groups clashing with each other," she said. PU authorities have also scheduled a meeting with all student parties for Tuesday. Dean student welfare Prof Amit Chauhan said the administration will also meet student leaders. "The aim is to ensure a peaceful environment during elections. We are concerned about outsider involvement and are considering all options, including prohibitory orders, though the matter is yet to be finalised," he said. Sources said the university is also planning stricter controls on vehicle entry and increased surveillance over the next few weeks. Security staff have been instructed to assist police in enforcing discipline across the campus. Police officials said that some student groups are being monitored for alleged connections to gangsters. "We are keeping tabs on movement, contacts, and past involvement of some leaders with criminal elements. This time we are taking proactive steps," said a police officer. With campaigning expected to begin in mid-August, university authorities say maintaining order is the top priority and students will have to operate within strict boundaries. BOX- A violent year March 22: PUCSC joint secretary among 10 booked in ABVP infighting, Sector 15 March 28: PU student Aditya Thakur murdered during a fest April 8: Dalal camp and JAC clash outside PU Boys Hostel 4 April 28: SOPU factions scuffle at PU Student Centre July 28 & 30: Two clashes between rival groups at GGDSD College, FIRs registered July 31: Drone reels, sticker convoys raise outsider entry concerns on PU campus
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh PU protests: A complex web of student activism, politics
Amid ongoing controversy over the recent affidavit imposing conditions on protests within Panjab University (PU), long-time participants in campus politics note that the nature of protests at PU has evolved significantly over the years. While protests are not new to the university, with higher incidents of violence in PU reported before, this year marks the first time that PU has sought a blanket affidavit from new admissions to limit how they protest inside the campus. This is first time that PU has sought a blanket affidavit from new students to limit how they protest inside the campus. (HT File) Brinder Singh Dhillon, who served as the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) president from the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) during 2008-09, said that protests have taken a turn for the worse ever since the police started getting involved. 'When we were students, we would not allow police to enter the campus and if they came that itself became a point of protest. Ever since the Lyngdoh Committee Guidelines have been adopted by PU, student leaders aren't leaders anymore they have become managers.' He added that protests are now 'managed' in a way that brings people together on various issues, but the genuine passion among students has diminished. Dhillon also lamented the increasing politicisation of student parties on campus. 'When Rahul Gandhi visited the university, we switched from SOPU to the newly formed National Students Union of India (NSUI) in PU. Although we went on to win the elections after that, I sometimes wonder if this shift contributed to the current situation, considering the growing number of student parties at PU and the internal factions that have emerged within each party due to political involvement,' he remarked. A senior PU professor with over 50 years of experience, who has witnessed decades of campus protests, explained that the increasing politicisation of student movements has contributed to the recent problems and incidents of indiscipline seen at PU last year. According to the professor, students now receive funding from political parties and are encouraged to stage protests for every issue that they can find. The emergence of left-leaning parties around 2017, she noted, marked a turning point, with demonstrations becoming more violent and ideologically driven, shifting away from student-centric concerns. PU vice-chancellor Renu Vig stated that protests are being directed keeping the student elections in mind. She explained that the decision to introduce the affidavit for new admissions came up after the FIR filed against students for disrupting a function attended by the chief minister of Punjab. A call was taken to include such an affidavit, to protect students' futures and to avoid situations with violent protests like those witnessed this session. The founding president of SOPU and two time PUCSC president DPS Randhawa said that during their time when protests were taken out in a larger scale, there was trust between the students and the authorities. 'I would say most of our problems were solved within PU without involving the police or other authorities. Youngsters are bound to object to authoritarian measures taken out by the officials. I would urge teachers to step up as intermediaries. Students respect them and both the students and PU authorities need to resolve their disputes on their own,' he said. Sociologist and PU professor Pam Rajput added that both sides including the students and the authorities need to deal with this issue with maturity.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Patchwork protest at PU: Student unity frays over affidavit row
1 2 3 4 5 6 Chandigarh: A shared cause but scattered protests marked the day at Panjab University on Thursday, as student outfits opposed the new affidavit rule for freshers — which mandates prior permission and designated spots for demonstrations. Once again, despite the university's repeated claims of restricting outsider involvement, non-students were seen participating in at least two of the three protest sites. Despite agreeing that the affidavit restricts democratic expression on campus, protests played out in scattered slots, revealing the very divisions that have increasingly come to define student politics at PU. In late-night WhatsApp group discussions, multiple parties initially planned a joint action — only for arguments and familiar turf wars to resurface before sunrise. At 11 am, a handful of NSUI members, including PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg, some from PSU Lalkaar and few others assembled outside the Administrative Block with placards and slogans. Two hours later, PUCSC president Anurag Dalal arrived with another small group outside the vice-chancellor's office, and also present were some former ABVP members expelled earlier this year, SATH members, PSU Lalkaar and some others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 유일한 공식 무료 SOC 게임! 설치도 없습니다! 경복의 바다 게임 플레이 Undo ABVP itself had protested earlier in the morning, also outside the VC office — but independently, and later moved to two internal campus roads where they pushed aside traffic barricades and cones installed for a one-way system operational from 9 am to 5 pm. Outsiders were spotted at the VC office protest by Dalal and in ABVP group who were putting aside barricades — drawing murmurs but no official response. VC Prof Renu Vig maintained that the focus of the affidavit was procedural rather than punitive, "The affidavit is meant to ensure protests happen in a structured and non-disruptive manner, with prior approval and at notified sites." Former dean student welfare Prof Jatinder Grover offered a cautionary perspective on affidavit row. "Yes, university work and functioning must not be obstructed. But peaceful protest is a democratic right, especially in academic spaces where ideas must be challenged and tested. To curb that through legal affidavits is a step backwards. Students should be educated and engaged in such a way — with confidence, political awareness, and dialogue — that they don't rush to protest, not scared into silence through paperwork. " Memorandums were submitted on both fronts: Archit handed over one to the VC, while Dalal submitted demands to DSW Prof Amit Chauhan, who came out to receive them in person.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- 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".
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PU forms committee to draft constitution for student council
Chandigarh: Responding to a formal proposal by Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) vice president, the university vice chancellor has ordered to set up a five member committee to draft a written constitution for the student body — the first such attempt in the council's history. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Student council vice president Archit Garg, in a letter dated May 27, urged the Vice Chancellor to constitute a drafting committee to address what he described as a "crisis of representation, accountability, and legitimacy." He pointed out that the Council operates without a defined legal or procedural framework, reducing it to a "ceremonial body: visible, but voiceless; elected, but toothless." Acting on this proposal, the university has formed a five-member committee chaired by Professor Nandita from the Department of Education. The other members include Professor Sukhbir Kaur, former DSW (Women) from the Department of Zoology; Professor Ashok Kumar, former associate DSW from the Hindi Department; Professor Jagtar Singh, former DSW from the Department of Biotechnology; and an Assistant Registrar from the DSW office. Professor Nandita has previously chaired high-level committees — examining the functioning of the DSW office, and that framed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for student activities and institutional coordination. The SOPs were in the news earlier this month following new proposals restricting star nights, PUCSC involvement in official events, and introducing clearer rules for student trips — moves that followed the death of student leader Aditya Thakur on campus in March. "The idea is to build clarity and safeguards through proper documentation. A constitution will help define structure without undermining student expression. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We will consult widely before drafting," said Professor Nandita. The PUCSC was formed in the 1970s but has never had a written constitution. The newly formed committee is expected to hold initial consultations before submitting a draft. BOX- Call for student voices in process Welcoming the formation of the committee, Archit Garg said it was a step in the right direction but stressed that students must be given an active role in the drafting process. "Those who have been part of the council and understand its ground functioning must be roped in. Student representation on the committee is essential for legitimacy and accountability," he said. Students oppose proposal to rename PU A proposal to rename Panjab University as Punjab and Haryana University, supported by Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, has triggered strong opposition from many students. The suggestion was made in a letter from the Punjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal to the Vice Chancellor, leading to widespread reaction across the campus and beyond. Several student groups and former student leaders took to social media to express their outrage. SATH, a student organisation, described the proposal as an attack on Punjab's heritage and identity, underlining Panjab University's origins in Lahore as central to its history. The group urged political parties in Punjab to come together to protect the university's name and its connection to Chandigarh. In addition to SATH, other student leaders including Saksham Sharma of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Kanwar Inder Pratap Singh of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) also spoke out against the proposal. Former PUCSC member Karan Randhawa joined them in criticising the suggested name change on social media, calling it inappropriate and stressing the importance of preserving the university's identity. While the proposal has received political backing from Deepender Hooda, many students and members of the university community remain opposed, emphasising the cultural and historical significance of the university's current name. They argue that Panjab University's name reflects its legacy and strong ties to Punjab, which should not be altered. The debate over the proposed name change continues to spark discussion among students, political figures, and other stakeholders, with many calling for the preservation of the university's historic identity.
