V-C calls for introspection as PU plans to de-recognise student organisations

Dean Student Welfare (DSW) Professor Navdeep Goyal said,“After facing a tumultuous time after the conclusion of students’ council elections,we have realised that we need to come up with a long term solution. So,we decided to bring in transparency and implement what the PU calender has always stated.” Strengthening its stance of reducing ‘group-politics’,Professor Goyal claimed he had already begun to return applications submitted by students,carrying the letter head of the ‘student organisations’.

Meanwhile,the move has created a stir in the campus,with some university officials,including PUTA president Dr Devinder Singh welcoming the move saying it would help the university address the ‘dichotomy’ by implementing what is stated in rules. Student leaders,on the other hand,have begun to raise objections.

“This is not the solution. A candidate cannot be deprived of the support of the student organisation that campaigns for him or her. The whole meaning of elections is lost if there will be no student organisations,” said PU Students’ Council president Chandan Rana.

Joint Secretary Sunny Mehta pointed out that de-recognising any student organisation was against the fundamental right of the

students. “What kind of democracy is it,if students are not allowed to form student organisations?” asked Mehta.

However,welcoming the decision,K K Sharma,Advisor to the UT Administrator said,“New initiatives can always be considered by the university. The students must always have opportunity to voice themselves,however,in the university system.”

The Chandigarh Police has held they have no issues with the process of elections the university undertakes. “The police is capable of maintaining law and order in all cases. It does not matter which process they adopt. It should justify democracy,” said SSP Naunihal Singh.