The university has been on edge for almost a month, beginning with a week-long student protest in late October against the anti-protest affidavit. Tensions grew even further when the Centre’s now-withdrawn notification proposing changes to Panjab University’s governing bodies — the senate and syndicate — surfaced and intensified the unrest. 

With nearly 50 Punjab unions set to gather at the Student Centre committee hall on Thursday at 1 p.m. to decide the Panjab University Bachao Morcha’s (PUBM) next steps if senate elections are not declared by November 25, the university has also hardened its position, saying it is now considering legal measures.  PU registrar YP Verma said the university administration will also convene a meeting on Thursday. He noted that while students have the right to protest, the agitation has stretched on for too long, with the road outside the vice-chancellor’s office blocked for several weeks. “We are willing to engage in dialogue, but if the protest continues in the same manner or intensifies, we will have to consider legal options,” he said. 

On the edge for nearly a month

The university has spent almost a month in a state of constant tension. It began in the last week of October, when students launched a week-long protest against the anti-protest affidavit. The situation intensified soon after, as the Centre’s now-withdrawn proposal to restructure Panjab University’s key governing bodies — the senate and the syndicate — came to light. Although the university revoked the affidavit on November 4 and the Centre later scrapped the restructuring plan, tempers continued to rise.

The unrest peaked on November 10, when more than 5,000 people — including politicians, activists, and farmers from across Punjab — entered the campus, calling their march a movement to defend the state’s stake in PU. The chaos spilled onto tricity roads as protesters made their way toward the university.

Following the upheaval on November 10, the administration finally moved to act, forming a five-member committee of professors to negotiate with the protesting students, who had shifted their demand to the pending senate elections. PU has been without a senate since October 31, 2024, when the previous body’s term expired.

During the discussions that followed, the committee repeatedly assured students that the election schedule would be announced by November 25. In response, students warned that they would boycott the end-semester exams, which were set to begin on November 18. The university then postponed the examinations by three days. The students, meanwhile, agreed to hold off their protest until November 25.

Morcha to focus on two key decisions

The Morcha has called Thursday’s meeting to decide its next steps if the university does not follow through on its promise. Although the leaders initially requested the Golden Jubilee Hall as the venue, the university denied permission and instead suggested the PU alumni guest house in South Campus. The Morcha declined the offer, saying the space was too small for the expected gathering.

Several unions are likely to attend, including the Punjab Students Union, Punjab Students Union (Shaheed Randhawa), Democratic Teachers Front, the 1158 Assistant Professor and Librarian Front, Krantikari Kisan Union Punjab, BKU (Dakhonda) and SKM (Sanyukt Kisan Morcha).

At the meeting, the Morcha will consider two major options: repeating the November 10 PU Bandh if the senate elections are not declared, or carrying out a gherao of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office — a proposal that has surfaced frequently in earlier strategy discussions.

Cops on stand-by

The Chandigarh Police have heightened security measures, anticipating around 200 participants at the meeting. A senior official said, “After what happened on November 10, the force is fully prepared for any escalation, although no traffic restrictions have been planned in the city so far.”

On campus, several internal roads have remained shut for more than a week following the November 10 incident. The route from the Department of Mathematics to the vice-chancellor’s office — which passes the chemical engineering department and connects Gate No. 1 to the Administration Block — continues to be closed. Another stretch leading to the main chowk from the Administration Block is also barricaded, with some protesters’ vehicles still parked there.

Meanwhile, police are still probing the FIR filed in connection with the November 10 bandh, though no arrests have been made yet.

Registrar to meet Chancellor tomorrow

Registrar YP Verma and the vice-chancellor’s secretary, Krishan Kumar Saluja, will head to New Delhi on Friday to discuss the Senate election schedule with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, who serves as the university’s Chancellor. Verma said that PU has already submitted a tentative schedule, and the final decision now lies with the Chancellor’s office. The two officials will be seeking the latest update on its approval.