Chandigarh, April 3 — Despite Panjab University (PU) enforcing a ban on outsiders from Wednesday amid rising campus protests and concerns over external interference, implementation remained partial as non-students were still seen roaming the campus.
Security checks were tightened at entry points, causing traffic congestion during peak hours. Typically, two security guards man each gate, but on Tuesday, six guards were posted per gate. At Gate Number 2, around 50 vehicles had been turned away by noon, with the number expected to exceed 100 by evening. Gate Number 3, leading to the South Campus, saw slow-moving traffic due to a narrow turn, though security checks there were relaxed.
At Gate Number 2, around eight individuals left behind their vehicle registration certificates, driver’s licenses, or other IDs, while nearly 50 visitor IDs, including a Canadian one, remained unclaimed for the past 10 days. PU’s Chief of University Security (CUS) Vikram Singh said officials were compiling data on vehicles turned back to assess the impact of the ban.
PU Registrar YP Verma said this was the first phase of their plan to regulate outsider entry. “We have issued a circular to collect vehicle details of staff and day scholars from all departments. Stickers will be issued soon, and from May 1, only stickered vehicles will be allowed entry,” he said.
However, PU has a poor track record in enforcing car restrictions. Despite a ban on hostellers keeping cars, vehicles remain parked outside hostels, with no action taken despite repeated notices. A previously introduced monthly car-free day is also largely ignored.
While the situation remained peaceful on Wednesday, students at the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) plan to protest and boycott classes on Thursday.
Lax Enforcement as Outsiders Attend Campus Events
Despite the ban, outsiders were seen on campus. A Sukhmani Sahib Path was organized for UIET student Aditya Thakur, who was stabbed during a concert on Friday. Among those attending was former Chandigarh Youth Congress president Manoj Lubana, who is not currently enrolled at PU.
“I was not asked for an ID when I entered. When security questioned me, I simply mentioned I was there for the path and was allowed entry,” Lubana said, adding that authorities should focus on those causing trouble rather than visitors attending memorial events.
Lubana had also visited PU on Tuesday with former National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) national secretary Sunny Mehta, also not a PU student, during a protest at Gate Number 2.
Asked why outsiders were still gaining access, CUS Vikram Singh said they may have cited events as a reason for entry. “We will increase vigilance,” he added. Meanwhile, some outsiders were also seen at the Students Centre, where another protest was underway.
