Panjab University student protest HIGHLIGHTS: Farmers break barricade, enter Chandigarh; protest to continue until Senate election date announced
Around 50–70 protesters will remain on campus until the final schedule for the Senate elections is announced, while the rest are expected to leave tonight
It was announced from the stage that the protest will continue here until the date for Panjab University Senate elections is officially announced
The protest at Panjab University had been ongoing since the morning, but the demonstrators themselves had the speaker switched off even before 5 pm.
Students at Panjab University issue ultimatum to the administration.
Say 'those arrested shall be released within 15–20 minutes'
The protest will continue as before, but today’s programme will conclude after some time
A large number of students have started arriving at Panjab University, and several farmers have also reached the site. The police are not stopping them from entering.
Led by SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, farmers and students from various parts of Punjab have started marching towards Panjab University. Rajewal highlighted inter-state concerns such as the status of Chandigarh and the sharing of river waters, asserting that the protest will continue until all outstanding issues are permanently resolved.
Amid the ongoing protest at Panjab University, SSP Chandigarh Police once again engaged with the students and hinted at deploying reserve forces to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, the demonstrators intensified their agitation, demanding the release of detained students as more protesters carrying BKU flags entered the campus. Support for the movement continued to grow, with food ‘langar’ being organised to sustain the sit-in. Tensions escalated further after the protesters refused to allow the installation of barricades near Gate No. 1, vowing to continue their agitation until all demands are fulfilled.
Farmers are staging a protest at Phase 6 on the Mohali-Chandigarh border, leading to a massive traffic jam. The farmers were attempting to enter Panjab University, but the police stopped them from entering Chandigarh.
The police have set up barricades at the Chandigarh-Mohali border near Phase 6, restricting the entry of vehicles into the Union Territory. Trucks and buses have been positioned to block the road, leading to long queues and heavy traffic congestion in Mohali. Commuters are now taking alternate routes as traffic movement remains erratic. In Zirakpur, a massive traffic jam has built up after Chandigarh Police began checking vehicles on the Chandigarh-Zirakpur road.
Tension escalated at Panjab University on Monday as student protests turned violent, prompting the Inspector General (IG) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to leave the campus. Demonstrators dismantled barricades, broke open entry gates, and shifted their protest from the Vice-Chancellor’s office to Gate No. 1.
The police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse the agitated crowd, as the unrest brought traffic movement to PGIMER to a standstill. Protesters were seen breaking locks and blocking access points, intensifying the standoff with authorities.
Special forces called in after the gate broke twice
Chandigarh SSP held talks with students regarding the entry of outsiders onto the campus. Students expressed concern over the heavy police presence and the restrictions imposed on movement within the university. The protesting students also demanded that political leaders be allowed entry. The SSP tried to pacify them, stating, “We are not stopping students from entering, but outsiders need prior permission to access the campus.”
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh, MPs Dr Amar Singh and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Punjab Congress leader Dalvir Singh Goldy, Haryana farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni, and Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh are among those present.
Police closed entry at Gate No. 2, but students broke through Gate No. 1 and entered the university, leading to major chaos
Due to the ongoing protest at Panjab University, the Chandigarh Police have set up special checkpoints at all border points to monitor vehicles, leading to heavy traffic jams on the Zirakpur Highway. Commuters are facing major inconvenience, and similar situations have also been reported in Mohali and Mullanpur.
Leaders, students and artists from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have also united in the ongoing protest at Panjab University. Support is pouring in from across the region, with Punjabi singers Babbu Maan and Satinder Sartaaj among those who joined the agitation. Political leaders from various parties have also extended their backing to the movement.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has expressed strong support for the cause, stating that the matter will be taken to the High Court. “Panjab University is Punjab’s legacy, and we will not allow anyone to tamper with it,” he said.
Centre issued notification to dissolve Senate and Syndicate
On October 28, the Centre issued a notification to dissolve the 59-year-old Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University. The move immediately sparked political backlash. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress general secretary Pargat Singh condemned the decision, calling it an attempt to “undermine Punjab and Punjabi identity.”
Political parties across the spectrum united in demanding the withdrawal of the notification. They alleged that the Centre had not only reduced the number of Senate members but also curtailed their powers. Students soon joined the agitation, launching an indefinite hunger strike and forming a “University Bachao Morcha” (Save the University Front).
Centre withdraws notification, but protests continue
Amid rising pressure, the Central Government rolled back its decision four days ago, issuing a fresh notification. However, it clarified that the earlier order had not been cancelled but merely suspended.
Student unions accused the government of misleading people through its recent notifications regarding Panjab University. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also criticised the Centre, suggesting that the matter could be taken to the High Court if necessary.
Students now demand announcement of Senate election dates
Even after the Centre’s rollback of the decision, students have continued their protest. They insist that the agitation will not end until the election dates for all 91 Senate members are officially announced. A large-scale protest has been scheduled for November 10 (today), with support pouring in from opposition leaders, social groups, and members of the public.
Meanwhile, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Professor Renu Vig said the university had initiated the process to conduct Senate elections in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s November 7 notification. However, student leaders have reiterated that the protest will continue until a clear election date is declared.
PTC Web Desk: Despite the Central Government withdrawing its notification regarding the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University, student protests have continued into Monday. Demonstrators, who began their sit-in on Sunday night, remained gathered outside the university gates well into the early hours.
The protesting students are now demanding the immediate announcement of election dates for all 91 student seats in the Senate. They have declared that their sit-in will continue until the election schedule is officially released. The agitation intensified last night when several parents of the students also joined the protest.
As tensions rose, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur personally intervened to manage the situation. Meanwhile, student unions have called for a large-scale protest today, which is expected to see participation from various religious and social organisations, political leaders, singers, and artists from Punjab.
Heavy police deployment has been made across the campus and adjoining areas. Earlier, six DSPs, 18 inspectors, and 1,200 personnel were stationed around the university. The security force has now been increased to nearly 2,000 officers.
The police have also tightened monitoring on all routes leading to Chandigarh, setting up 12 checkpoints. Students attempting to enter the campus without valid ID cards are being stopped, leading to arguments between police personnel and students.
Student leaders have appealed for peaceful protests, urging supporters to sit down and demonstrate wherever police restrictions are imposed. They have also encouraged sharing videos and reels of the demonstrations on social media to amplify their movement.
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- With inputs from agencies
