Panjab University Protest: Why Students Are Calling It a Fight for Democracy and Punjab’s Identity

Updated On: 14/11/2025

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Panjab University Protest: Students Rise to Save Punjab’s Identity

Chandigarh has been on edge this week. The usually calm campus of Panjab University has turned into a battleground of ideas, protests, and barricades. At the heart of it all is the Panjab University Protest, which began as a student movement against a controversial affidavit — and has now evolved into a powerful resistance against what many see as a direct assault on Punjab’s democratic and cultural identity.

We Won’t Let Anyone Control Our University

“We will not let RSS control our Panjab University,” declared Navpreet Ganga, the State Chairman of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), standing amid a crowd of protesting students late Sunday night.

Using a crutch to support his polio-affected leg, Ganga addressed hundreds of students gathered outside the campus gate after Chandigarh Police tried to detain Abhishek Dagar, General Secretary of the Panjab University Students’ Council. Dagar had been on an indefinite fast against a new affidavit policy that many called “anti-student” and “undemocratic.”

The Panjab University Protest began as a united stand by students from SOPU and the Student Front (SF) against this mandatory affidavit. The policy required prior permission for holding protests, mandatory approval of speakers’ lists, and strict sound restrictions.

But within days, this protest turned into something far bigger — a movement to “Save Panjab University.”

The Trigger: Dissolution of Senate and Syndicate

What began as a local protest took a dramatic turn on November 1, when The Tribune published a report that the Centre had dissolved the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University — two partially elected governing bodies that had run the institution for decades.

For many Punjabis, this wasn’t just another administrative change. It felt personal. The news came on November 1, the day Punjab was carved out as a state in 1966. Many saw it as a symbolic and political provocation — “another attack on Punjab.”

Unbeknownst to students, the government had already issued a notification on October 28, 2025, to dissolve both bodies. Overnight, the Panjab University Protest shifted gears — from being about an affidavit to defending Punjab’s autonomy.

A Glimpse into Panjab University’s Legacy

Founded in 1882 in Lahore, Panjab University is one of India’s oldest institutions. After Partition, it moved to Hoshiarpur, then Shimla, and finally to Chandigarh — the city it still calls home.

Under the Panjab University Act, 1947, the university’s governance rested with two key democratic institutions: the Senate (91 members) and the Syndicate. These included elected representatives from teachers, graduates, alumni, and affiliated colleges.

Every four years, elections were held to choose Senate members — a process that gave this university a unique democratic character. From this Senate, the smaller Syndicate was elected annually to manage key administrative functions.

That democratic system, students say, has now been dismantled overnight.

What Has Changed?

According to the Centre’s new notification, the graduate constituency has been abolished, and the Senate’s strength has been slashed from 91 to just 24 nominated members.

In simple terms: no more elections. The entire governing body will now be handpicked instead of democratically elected.

For students and professors, this change isn’t just bureaucratic — it’s ideological. They see it as a way to centralise control and align the university with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which calls for Boards of Governors at higher education institutions.

Protesters argue that such boards — filled with nominated members — would erode the university’s independent voice and lead to saffronisation of education.

Legal and Political Questions

The Panjab University Act (1947) states that any change to the university’s structure must be approved by Parliament. But the Centre appears to have bypassed that process by using Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act (1966) — which allows it to modify laws concerning interstate bodies.

Critics say this is a dangerous precedent. They view it as part of a broader pattern of centralisation — from the BBMB restructuring that reduced Punjab’s representation, to the farm laws, and now the Panjab University Protest.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called the move “unconstitutional” and said his government is exploring legal options. Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi and other Congress leaders also slammed the Centre, calling it a “direct attack on Punjab’s autonomy.”

How the Protests Escalated

The Panjab University Protest picked up momentum on November 4, when students forcibly shut down the university’s administrative block. Staff had to leave midway through the workday as protesters locked doors and occupied hallways.

That evening, students stormed into the Vice-Chancellor’s office, demanding a written withdrawal of the affidavit notification. After hours of confrontation, university officials signed the papers — effectively revoking the affidavit.

But the movement didn’t end there. Instead, it grew stronger.

All student organisations — from left-wing to centrist groups — came together under the banner of Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM). The Morcha called on farmers’ unions, activists, and Punjab’s intellectuals to join a mass protest on November 10 — now known as the “PU Bandh”.

Massive Security Lockdown in Chandigarh

On November 10, Chandigarh witnessed unprecedented security. Nearly 2,000 police personnel surrounded the Panjab University campus. All entry gates were sealed except Gate No. 1, which was partially opened for essential movement.

Barricades, surveillance vans, and riot-control buses lined the roads from Sector 14 to Madhya Marg. Students were stopped at checkpoints, and those living inside the campus were told to remain indoors.

A senior police official described the measures as “precautionary” following inputs of large-scale mobilisation by student groups. But protest leaders called it “an attempt to create fear.”

Political Leaders and Celebrities Join In

Despite the heavy police presence, the Panjab University Protest continued to draw public support.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, MPs Amar Singh and Dharamvir Gandhi, and several Congress leaders visited the protest site.

Prominent cultural icons — including singers Satinder Sartaj, Babbu Mann, and Jasbir Jassi — who are also alumni of the university, lent their voices of solidarity. Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, activist Lakha Sidhana, and ex-MP Simranjit Singh Mann were also seen addressing students.

Their message was clear: “Panjab University is not just a university. It’s Punjab’s pride.”

Ministry’s Rollback and Confusion

On the evening of November 4, ABVP President Gauravveer Sohal posted a video claiming that the Ministry of Education had withdrawn the controversial notification. He said his meeting in Delhi had resulted in success and captioned the video “Mithi Dhun Rabab Di, Panjab University Panjab Di” — meaning “Sweet melody of Rabab, Panjab University belongs to Punjab.”

However, the celebration was short-lived. Just hours later, the Centre issued another notification reaffirming the same restructuring guidelines. Student leaders accused the government of “creating confusion deliberately” before the planned 10 November protest.

The Fight for Punjab’s Democratic Heritage

For many students and citizens, the Panjab University Protest is no longer just about campus politics — it’s about Punjab’s right to self-determination within India’s federal structure.

Ramanpreet Singh from Panjab University Bachao Morcha told reporters, “The Modi government is trying to centralise everything — politically, fiscally, and institutionally. They scrapped Article 370 for political control, introduced GST for financial control, and now they’re doing this for institutional control.”

He added, “We will not stop until the democratic structure of Panjab University’s Senate and Syndicate is restored.”

What Lies Ahead?

Even after the ministry’s partial rollback, the Panjab University Protest has not slowed down. Students continue to demand immediate Senate elections, calling the administration’s silence “suspicious and unacceptable.”

The university’s administration maintains that the situation is “under control” and that discussions on elections are underway. But on the ground, tension remains high.

The protests have tapped into a deeper sentiment in Punjab — one of resentment against centralisation and loss of autonomy.

For students, this is not just a campus issue; it’s a fight for the soul of an institution that has represented Punjab’s academic freedom for nearly a century.

Conclusion

The Panjab University Protest stands as a symbol of resistance — not just to one policy, but to a broader trend that many see as eroding India’s federal and democratic ethos. What began with an affidavit has transformed into a statewide movement to defend Punjab’s identity, culture, and voice.

As police continue to guard every gate and students chant slogans from behind barricades, one thing is clear — the battle for Panjab University is far from over.