The Punjab University administration has stepped up efforts to end the ongoing dispute over the Senate elections, with Vice Chancellor Professor Renu Vig holding a meeting with members of the Punjab University Chandigarh Bachao Morcha at 11 am on Wednesday 12 Nov.
The meeting, aimed at finding a breakthrough, follows days of tension on campus. During the interaction, Professor Vig is expected to brief the Morcha representatives that she has already sought approval from the Vice President to conduct the Senate elections. Once the approval is received, the proposal to hold the elections next year will be finalised. Morcha member Ashpreet Singh said their future course of action will be decided after today’s meeting.
The controversy began when the university made it compulsory for new students to submit an affidavit during admission. This move triggered widespread student protests. The situation escalated after the Centre issued a notification on October 28 dissolving the Senate and Syndicate. Although the university later withdrew the affidavit condition, the protesters continued their agitation demanding withdrawal of the Centre’s notification.
After sustained pressure, the central government revoked the notification, but student groups are now demanding that the university immediately announce the Senate election date. They have made it clear that their protest will continue until the schedule is officially declared.
On November 8, Professor Vig confirmed that she had already sent a proposal to the Vice President seeking permission to conduct the Senate polls. Meanwhile, on November 10, members of the Chandigarh Bachao Morcha, along with several Punjab organisations, staged a protest that was met with mild police action.