PU Bachao Morcha says Nov 10 massive protest on: ‘Centre is making a mockery of the issue’

The earlier notification, dated October 28, had restructured the PU governing bodies – the Senate and the Syndicate. A few minutes later, another notification was issued, highlighting the only change that “the implementation of the new Senate structure, which was earlier to take effect immediately, will now be enforced as per further orders from the Central Government”.

The October 28 notification has drawn criticism from various quarters across Punjab, and various student organisations of Panjab University, Chandigarh, who came together under the banner of ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ to protest the dissolution of the Senate elections and demand the restoration of the 91-member Senate.

Despite Wednesday being a holiday, protesters protested since morning, standing on a common ground. Students holding placards raised slogans against the “undemocratic move” of the Centre, and demanded the rollback of the move, marking a drastic shift from political representation to administrative and academic control.

A Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) statement says, “The Government of India has made a mockery of the issue. In reality, no notification has been cancelled; the government has merely tried to create confusion. A new notification has been issued, in which the only change is that the implementation of the new Senate structure, which was earlier to take effect immediately, will now be enforced as per further orders from the Central Government. This means that the new Senate structure remains the same; only its date of implementation has been deferred.

“We want to make it clear that the call for the massive protest on November 10 stands firm. The Panjab University Bachao Morcha will continue its struggle outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office with even greater strength and determination.”

Manika from PSU (Lalkaar) said, “Our protest will only intensify,” stating that “the notification that dissolved the Senate’s election has not been cancelled, and a misleading notification is being circulated. Two notifications have been issued, Notification No. 4867 cancels it, while Notification No. 4868 reinstates it, and our fight continues.”

A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal also reached out to the Panjab University Bachao Morcha in solidarity with the ongoing protest, as did Member of Parliament Malvinder Singh Kang, offering support to the students.

Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi added a poetic and musical touch, sitting with the students on protest, motivating them to stay strong, as he sang some soulful Punjabi songs.

Speaking about the two notifications, Prof Chaman Lal, former Senator, said, “The Senate and Syndicate have not been working, so the notifications intend to just delay and buy time.”

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