Chandigarh, Nov 22: The Panjab University Bachao Morcha’s sit-in entered its 22nd day on Saturday, with students preparing for a shutdown of the Chandigarh campus on November 26 after the Centre failed to act on their demand to restore Senate elections under the pre-October 30 framework. The protest, which has drawn support from farm unions, religious bodies, civil-society groups, political outfits and Nihang organisations, is expected to culminate in what organisers describe as a “historic campus bandh”.
The campaign began after The Tribune first reported on November 1 that the Centre planned a restructuring of PU’s governance model, a disclosure that ignited state-wide criticism and compelled the government to withdraw the proposed overhaul within a week. Four separate notifications were issued between October 30 and November 7 reversing the changes.
Despite the partial reversal, student leaders insist the Centre has not conceded their principal demand: issuance of the Senate election schedule under the original structure. Two weeks have passed since Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig submitted the university’s recommendation to Chancellor and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on November 9, and the file remains pending with the Centre.
On Saturday, the protest site outside the VC’s office remained occupied round-the-clock, with volunteers and gurdwaras providing uninterrupted langar. Student organisers said they were ready for an extended confrontation. “We are fully prepared for the long haul,” one student representative declared, adding that the bandh will witness “no academic, administrative or transportation activity” unless the notification is issued before November 25.
Political backing continued to gather momentum as former Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa visited the dharna. “The Central Government must immediately announce the Senate election date,” Dhindsa said. He noted, “PU is not just a university. It carries Punjab’s emotions and legacy. The Prime Minister should respect this sentiment and act without delay.”
With neither side appearing willing to withdraw, the next three days could determine the direction of one of the most prolonged campus agitations in recent years.
