Chandigarh, November 11, 2025:
A massive protest erupted at Panjab University (PU) on Monday as thousands of students, supported by farmer unions and political groups, broke through police barricades and scaled the main entry gate to press for the announcement of the long-delayed Senate elections. The protest, organized by the Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM), turned chaotic as police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.
Protesters Scale Gates, Clash with Police
The confrontation began at Gate No. 1 of the university, where protesters tore down barricades and forced entry into the campus despite the heavy deployment of Chandigarh Police. Gates No. 2 and No. 3 remained shut, but many demonstrators managed to enter through adjoining routes.
Eyewitnesses reported that several protestors climbed the gates, waved flags, and chanted slogans like “Go Back Chandigarh Police” and “Democracy Zindabad”, accusing the administration of trying to suppress their movement.
In a statement, one student leader said, “We are fighting for our democratic rights. The Senate elections must be held immediately. The administration cannot rule through nominations.”
Backdrop: Controversy Over Senate and Syndicate Restructuring
The agitation follows the Union government’s October 28 notification proposing to restructure PU’s Senate and Syndicate, reducing the number of elected members and introducing a nomination-based system.
The move triggered widespread backlash from students, faculty members, and political leaders across Punjab and Chandigarh, who saw it as an attack on the university’s autonomous and democratic framework.
Although the Ministry of Education withdrew the notification on November 7, student organizations termed the reversal “incomplete” and “symbolic.” They argue that the government has yet to announce fresh dates for Senate elections, pending since October 2024.
Heavy Police Deployment Around Campus
Authorities had implemented strict security arrangements across the Chandigarh–Mohali borders and near the university gates. Despite these measures, large groups of protestors — some reportedly from outside the university — managed to reach the campus.
Inspector General of Police Pushpendra Kumar stated that nearly 400–500 protestors were initially stopped, with 80 detained under preventive measures, and later released in the evening.
“Our top priority was to ensure peace and avoid injuries,” Kumar said. “We discouraged protestors from entering with tractors and held discussions to prevent escalation.”
By evening, police claimed the situation was under control as several protestors began to disperse.
Political and Student Reactions
Members of the Youth Congress, farmers’ unions, and local political figures also joined the protest. Youth Congress leader Ishar P. Singh described the standoff as a battle “between democracy and dictatorship,” adding that the students’ demands reflect “a larger struggle for institutional independence.”
The Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) and Punjab Students Union expressed solidarity, calling the protest a defining moment in defending academic democracy. Many faculty members criticized the government’s earlier move as “an attempt to silence elected representation.”
Core Demand: Restore and Conduct Senate Elections
The Senate — the university’s top decision-making body — currently stands dissolved after its term expired in 2024. Students and faculty insist that without elections, the university’s administrative legitimacy remains questionable.
Protesters vowed to continue their agitation until the Senate and Syndicate election schedules are officially announced.
PUBM leaders declared that demonstrations would persist across Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana, mobilizing support from university alumni and political organizations.
Current Status and Outlook
By late evening, the situation at Panjab University had calmed, but student leaders announced plans for a “democracy march” if their demands remained unfulfilled.
The administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding a revised election timeline.
For now, Panjab University — historically a symbol of student activism and academic excellence — finds itself at the center of a heated confrontation between students demanding autonomy and authorities striving to maintain order.
As one student protester put it, “This is not just about elections — it’s about protecting the soul of Panjab University.”
