Days after protests, Centre withdraws decision to scrap Panjab University Senate

A fresh notification issued by the Union Ministry of Education stated, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1), read with sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the Central Government hereby rescinds the notification… dated October 28, 2025.”

The earlier notification had restructured the university’s governing bodies — the Senate and the Syndicate — and was met with sharp criticism across party lines in Punjab.

The October 28 order, which amended the Panjab University Act, 1947, sought to reduce the size of the Senate to 31 members, abolish elections to the Syndicate, and remove the graduate constituency — effectively ending the university’s long-standing system of democratic representation.

With the rescission of the October 28 notification, the Senate and Syndicate will continue to function under their existing framework as defined by the Panjab University Act, 1947.

Reacting strongly to the earlier move, Mann had called it “unconstitutional” and “dictatorial,” asserting that the Centre had overstepped its powers.

“The Punjab government will approach the High Court against the unconstitutional dissolution of the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University Chandigarh. We will form a panel of eminent lawyers and fight against this act of high-handedness,” Mann had said in a post on X.

Mann had also argued that the Centre had no authority to amend the Panjab University Act through a notification.

“Either the Assembly can amend it, or the matter has to be taken to Parliament. But none of that happened. By issuing the notification, the BJP has revealed its anti-Punjab face,” he had said, adding that the matter would be raised in the Assembly to strengthen Punjab’s position legislatively.

From the homepage

5 killed as passenger train collides with goods train in Bilaspur

‘He is Bihar’s guardian… can do no wrong’: 20 years later, why Nitish still NDA’s best bet

Why a curb on Trump’s tariff powers by US top court could deliver $500 mn refund, & possibly a fairer trade deal for India