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‘PU Bachao Morcha’ submits demands, V-C to meet protesters today

Demonstration group seeks withdrawal of FIRs related to previous Senate election protest, seeks written assurances

3 min readChandigarhNov 12, 2025 12:06 AM IST

Panjab University Bachao Morcha, Panjab University, PU Bachao Morcha, Renu Vig, Indian express news, current affairs

PU teachers have relied on a series of University Grants Commission (UGC) circulars to argue that they are entitled to parity with Central universities where the retirement age is 65.

A day after a massive mobilisation on campus, student organisations under the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ on Tuesday submitted a four-point charter of demands to the university administration, seeking written assurances before the schedule for Senate elections is finalised. Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Renu Vig has invited the protest group for a formal meeting at 11 am on Wednesday to discuss the demands.

The demonstrators demanded that the varsity withdraw all pending disciplinary or legal cases against students related to the previous Senate election protest and other demonstrations. They called for withdrawal of FIRs registered against student protesters following Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s visit to the campus for the Punjab Vision 2047 event. Students alleged that they were marching peacefully towards the Students’ Centre when police resorted to lathicharge. The FIRs, registered under Sections 123 and 232 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), name members from various student unions: PSU (Lalkaar), SFS, Sath, Punjab Naama and SOI. Section 232 is a non-bailable offence, with the first hearing listed for November 29.

The Morcha has also sought a written assurance that no major administrative or policy decisions will be taken until Senate polls are conducted. It has further demanded that once elected, the new Senate should review all decisions taken during the period when the body remained dissolved.

Another key demand is the scrapping of the university’s vetting committee, which determines which speakers can be invited to campus events. Student organisations described the committee as a “censorship mechanism” that curbs academic and political expression. They have also sought the withdrawal of recently introduced standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), stating that any rules on event permission or financial functioning should be framed in consultation with elected student representatives.

On faculty recruitment, they alleged that recent appointments violated reservation norms, particularly for OBC candidates, and have asked that the selection list be reviewed and reissued. The morcha called for ensuring that no recruitment process takes place without “strictly following the reservation policy”.

“If our demands are not met and the Senate elections are not announced soon, the campus will not function as usual. Exams are scheduled to begin from November 18, and we will not let them happen if the administration continues to ignore the students’ voice,” Sandeep, president of the Society for Students (SFS), told The Indian Express.

The November 10 protest saw thousands march towards the administrative block to press for immediate Senate polls. Students alleged that police used force, leading to injuries. Women protesters also accused police personnel of physical manhandling.

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Meanwhile, the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), including PUCSC president Gauraveer Sohal, did not participate in the protest. ABVP state secretary Manmeet Sohal said the council president should be made an ex-officio member of the Senate and called on the Punjab government to release pending grants to the university, reiterating that Punjab’s rights over Panjab University (PU) must remain intact.

Protest by PU students over announcement of Senate polls saw no let-up on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.

According to PTI sources, the PU authorities have submitted a detailed Senate poll schedule to the country’s vice-president, who is the Chancellor of the university, for his approval.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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