Chandigarh, 22 December 2024: Panjab University (PU) witnessed high drama on Saturday as protesting students from the Panjab University Bachao Morcha were detained by police while Vice-President of India and Chancellor Jagdeep Dhankhar attended the Global Alumni Meet.
The protest stemmed from several unresolved demands, including the immediate conduct of senate elections.
The students had earlier announced plans to burn effigies of the chancellor and vice-chancellor at the Student Centre.
While some protesters were detained earlier in the day, videos released by students showed police apprehending them from their departments.
Despite the detentions, protesters managed to burn a mini effigy of the chancellor on the grounds near the Student Centre.
In one video, police officers could be seen standing as the effigy was set alight. Shops in the area were also closed by police without prior notice.
Gagandeep Singh, coordinator of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, claimed at least 10 students were detained, some directly from the protest site outside the vice-chancellor’s office. In a widely shared video, Station House Officer Narinder Singh was seen pushing a student during an argument before detaining them.
Meanwhile, the protest coincided with ongoing concerns over the delay in senate elections. On Friday, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had met Dhankhar to raise the issue.
However, the matter was not addressed during the chancellor’s speech at the event.
The Panjab University Campus Student Council’s vice-president, Archit Garg, said a memorandum had been submitted to the chancellor outlining various student demands.
These included holding senate elections, installing a statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, enhancing placement opportunities, and upgrading sports facilities.
The chancellor was scheduled to meet representatives from the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) and Staff Association at Golden Jubilee Hall.
However, he reportedly left the campus after his address at the inauguration of the alumni meet at Law Auditorium, leaving the meeting unfulfilled.
