‘It’s Punjab’s fight’: SAD chief Badal reaches PU campus, calls for united front

Badal, who visited the university on Saturday evening, said that the protests in the campus are “a question of Punjab’s rights” and not an issue to be boxed into political camps. Speaking to students of the PU Bachao Morcha, who have been demanding that the varsity administration immediately announce the long-delayed Senate poll schedule, Badal said the matter had outgrown campus boundaries.

Badal repeated his charge that the Centre had been attempting to “tighten its grip” on Punjab by undermining key institutions, including universities and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). “You weaken the university and you weaken the state. That pattern has been steady,” he said.

Calling for a unified front, he urged all political parties to set aside rivalry and “stand on one platform” to push for the restoration of the Senate and the timely conduct of elections. He said he would seek a meeting with the Vice-President of India — who is also the chancellor of PU — to request a fixed timeline for the polls. “Give us clarity within seven to ten days. If nothing moves, I will return and sit with the students. And if the students lead this fight, the SAD will stand with them,” he added.

Later in a press conference, questions surfaced over the previous SAD government’s own record on higher-education finances. One of them centred on PU’s long-standing debt, running into several hundred crores, which was never waived during the Akali tenure despite repeated pleas from the Patiala campus about its worsening financial condition.

Badal did not answer such questions and stressed that the conversation should remain focused on “the attack unfolding today,” steering clear of revisiting decisions taken during his government.

Morcha plans Nov 26 & 30 conventions

On Day 14 of the protest, student groups announced two major conventions on November 26 and 30 to set out the next phase of their campaign. Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) representatives said they would seek permission to hold the events in the Law Auditorium and invite a prominent political figure to speak on the Senate crisis and the future of university governance.

Students said pressure tactics inside the campus had exhausted their utility. “For two weeks, they have heard and ignored us,” said Sara of PSU Lalkar. “The next call will not be inside PU.”

Leaders involved in the planning said the agitation is now expected to shift to a site that carries the weight of state authority. Among students and supporters, there has been speculation about the Governor’s residence as a possible venue for the next major mobilisation. Those coordinating the protest, however, said the venue will be announced only after internal consultations.

The protest group reiterated that it would boycott the end-semester examinations from November 18 if the university does not release a written schedule for the Senate elections. Support for the agitation continued to build as members of farmer unions, teachers’ associations, civil society groups and alumni visited the protest site to extend solidarity.

Those who met the students included Sarbat Da Bhala Trust chairman Sukhraj Singh Sohal, ETT Union Punjab leader Jaswinder Singh Sindhu, Sant Nachhatar Singh of Jhampur, BKU (Ekta Dakonda) leader Balwinder Singh Jethuke and PU alumnus Harjeet Singh Bhullar.

The author is an intern with The Indian Express