Cracks emerge in PU Bachao Morcha over Punjab–Haryana divide

“The struggle was meant to save Panjab University from political interference, especially from the BJP and RSS ideology,” he told The Indian Express. “But the November 10 protest turned into something else, it became about regional ownership, not about saving the university.”

The PU Bachao Morcha, comprising groups including SATH, SFS, PSU (Lalkar), NSUI, AISA, and SOI, had led massive demonstrations last week demanding that the university announce Senate elections and roll back recent administrative decisions.

Manderana criticised attempts to frame the agitation as a fight for Punjab’s “sole ownership” of PU, arguing that the university historically belonged to the undivided “Maha Punjab” region that included parts of present-day Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. “To now say PU belongs only to Punjab is inaccurate and unfair. This university was meant to be shared, not claimed,” he said.

Calling for student representation in the Senate, he added, “If teachers and staff have seats in the Senate, why not students — the largest stakeholders?”

PUCSC vice-president Ashmit Singh said he respected Manderana’s decision but disagreed with his view. “When we say PU belongs to Punjab, we mean it culturally and geographically,” he said.

Manderana’s resignation marks the first visible split within the morcha, exposing tensions between Punjab- and Haryana-based student groups.

 The writer is an intern with The Indian Express

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