PU declares holiday today as police flag security risk

Student groups said the timing showed the administration had bowed to pressure. “They kept saying nothing would be affected and that campus life would continue,” said Ashmit Singh, vice president of PUCSC. “Now they have shut the University themselves. It is clear they only react when directions come from Delhi. Students speak for weeks, and they look the other way.”

University agrees to Morcha’s three demands

During the meeting, the University accepted the three demands listed earlier by the Morcha. These include a commitment that no defamatory statements will be issued against protesting students, including remarks during the affidavit protest where the administration and Vice Chancellor referred to students as “criminal-minded”; withdrawal of FIR action against 14 students from earlier demonstrations, with the reversal process underway; and written confirmation that the committee examining Haryana’s representation claim has been struck off.

“These developments show the administration stepped back only after being pushed,” said Manika from PSU Lalkar. “This holiday is not a goodwill gesture. They tried to posture, but once pressure mounted, they folded.”

Morcha to outline next steps today

Chandigarh Police has advised student groups not to escalate their agitation until the end of the week and has told them that the schedule for Senate elections is likely to be released in the next few days. The PU Bachao Morcha will address a press conference today to outline its formal response.

Despite the holiday, the Morcha said the campus bandh will proceed as planned. A heavy inflow of students and supporters is expected in the morning, with farmers’ unions, labour organisations, teachers’ bodies and activist groups from Punjab saying they will reach Chandigarh in solidarity. Shops in Sector 14, especially near the Student Centre, are likely to remain shut.

For now, the Morcha’s call for a December 3 protest outside BJP offices in Chandigarh remains unchanged. Student leaders say only the release of the Senate election schedule and written confirmation of accepted demands will determine whether the agitation pauses.

Exam cycle under strain

The sudden closure has further strained the exam cycle. Nipun Suri, Department Representative of UILS, said computer application exams were scheduled for Wednesday and that several papers from November 18, 19 and 20 had already been postponed due to earlier protests. The pattern, he said, reflects an administration that responds “only when compelled”.