How a student-led protest in Panjab University reignited autonomy debate
Despite the Centre withdrawing the notification trimming the varsity’s Senate and Syndicate, students and farmers vow to continue agitation till larger issues are addressed.
People take part in a sit-in protest by students who are pressing for the announcement of Senate polls, at Panjab University campus in Chandigarh, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. (PTI Photo)
For almost two weeks now, Panjab University has been the site of widespread protests seeking to preserve autonomy, turning the narrative into one of “Delhi high-handedness”.
The protests began over the now-withdrawn notification of the Centre proposing to trim the university’s decision-making bodies Senate and Syndicate, with the move seen by many as a bid to “saffronise” the university, centralise control over the institution, and “dilute Punjab’s claim on Chandigarh”. With the issue snowballing into a political controversy, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the BJP of launching “another assault on Punjab’s autonomy”, and the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) labelling it “a direct attack on federalism” and the “erosion of 143 years of legacy”, the BJP was taken aback given that this came just months after the ABVP, the RSS’s student wing, registered its first win in the university students’ union polls in five decades.
Punjab BJP Acting president Ashwani Sharma, however, said the students’ demands were met. “We took up their concerns with the central leadership. I had specifically gone to Delhi for this. We should think of Punjab’s development and not stoke emotions. Punjab has had enough turmoil in the past. The environment must be peaceful here now,” he added.
It all began on October 28 after the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) announced a protest when the Centre, citing the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, decided to reduce the strength of the university’s 59-year-old Senate — the apex decision-making body comprising 91 elected and nominated members — to 31, as well as the Syndicate, its executive arm. The PUCSC then announced an indefinite hunger strike against the university’s move to seek “anti-protest” affidavits from students.
PUCSC general secretary Abhishek Dagar, a member of the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), spearheaded the protests through the platform of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, which lasted for a week. The protests also saw the participation of political heavyweights, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers.
On Monday, the protests escalated after farmers converged on the campus with tractors, broke barricades along with the students, and clashed with the police at the Mohali-Chandigarh border. “The students’ protest has given a fresh impetus to our fight for Punjab’s rights while the political leadership has forgotten people’s issues. We will fight for Punjab’s waters, Chandigarh and now autonomy,” said Balbir Singh Rajewal of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), adding that farmers would continue to support students as long as they protest. The SKM has also announced a rally in Chandigarh on November 26.
While the Centre buckled under pressure and withdrew the notification, the move did not come without its share of drama. On November 5, minutes after announcing the withdrawal, the Centre issued another notification stating that the earlier one was being put on hold and would be implemented at a later stage. It finally withdrew the notification on November 7 after protests began to escalate on the campus.
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Despite the Centre acceding to their demand, the PUCSC has vowed to continue the protests until elections for the Senate, which have been due since last October, are held.
Students for Society president Sandeep Kumar said students remain hopeful that their demands will be met but had a word of caution. “We want to emphasise that if the Centre continues its delaying tactics rather than accepting our demands, we will not allow the university – including the administration and examination blocks – to function normally. We hope the Centre and university authorities will fulfil our demands at the earliest,” he said.
The Senate includes the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, ex officio fellows (holding the post by virtue of their office), and ordinary fellows. The Chancellor is the Vice President of India. Ex-officio fellows include the Chief Minister and Education Minister of Punjab, the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and senior officials of Chandigarh and Punjab.
The Syndicate is headed by the Vice-Chancellor and comprises officials of Punjab and Chandigarh, in addition to up to 15 members elected by the faculty.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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