Toeing a strong line against violence on campus,the Panjab University (PU) has decided to include stricter norms in the University Calendar. The first such step would be to include the clause in the PU Calendar to rusticate students. In the absence of this clause for the university students,which already exists for colleges,the university has only one tough stand against the violators: suspension. In addition to this,the admission norms would also be amended in order to put a check on admission of perpetual offenders. Repeated incidents of violence on campus throughout the year,including during PUCSC elections,has raised questions on the safety and security of students. With the recent incident of clash at the Student Centre,where swords and other weapons were used by the students,questions were being raised on the security arrangements by the university authorities. Reacting to all this,Vice-Chancellor Professor R C Sobti told Newsline that amendments in the PU Calendar are in process. The University had earlier decided to rusticate these students involved in the clash; but in the absence of any such clause in the Calendar, and after taking legal opinion,we could only momentarily suspend them. Thus,in order to act as a preventive measure,this clause of rusticating students would be added in the Calendar, said Professor Sobti. When asked if any such stricter norms would be instituted for admissions as well,he added that the university is already considering on this parameter. He further added: In order to keep the habitual offenders out of the university,stricter admission guidelines would be formulated and the entire records of the students would be duly scanned. In the interest of the uiversity,it will take stricter proactive as well as reactive measures. Of the 16 students booked for Student Centre clash,six are already facing trials on charges of attempt to murder,assault and criminal intimidation. According to the Chandigarh Police records,since 2003,more than 150 students have faced charges for various criminal offences,ranging from assault to attempt to murder. These additions and amendments would be made after consultation with the legal retainer for PU,advocate Anupam Gupta,Senate and Syndicate members. 4 rusticated for Student Centre clash On the basis of video footage of the Student Centre clash,four students were suspended by the University on Thursday. The recommendation was made by the panel constituted by Dean University Instructions Professor B S Brar and Dean Students Welfare Professor Naval Kishore. This was later announced by the Vice-Chancellor. The students have been identified as Simranjeet Singh Sandhu (fifth year,UILS),Arshbeer Johal (final year,Department of Law),Rajwinder Singh Brar (third year,BDS) and Udey Wirring (final year,BDS). Further,a committee under retired Justice S C Jain has been constituted to probe the incident and submit the report within 15 days. The report based on all the supportive evidence available with the university authorities would zero in on the total number of students accused along with the gravity of the case.
