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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Patchwork protest at PU: Student unity frays over affidavit row
1 2 3 4 5 6 Chandigarh: A shared cause but scattered protests marked the day at Panjab University on Thursday, as student outfits opposed the new affidavit rule for freshers — which mandates prior permission and designated spots for demonstrations. Once again, despite the university's repeated claims of restricting outsider involvement, non-students were seen participating in at least two of the three protest sites. Despite agreeing that the affidavit restricts democratic expression on campus, protests played out in scattered slots, revealing the very divisions that have increasingly come to define student politics at PU. In late-night WhatsApp group discussions, multiple parties initially planned a joint action — only for arguments and familiar turf wars to resurface before sunrise. At 11 am, a handful of NSUI members, including PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg, some from PSU Lalkaar and few others assembled outside the Administrative Block with placards and slogans. Two hours later, PUCSC president Anurag Dalal arrived with another small group outside the vice-chancellor's office, and also present were some former ABVP members expelled earlier this year, SATH members, PSU Lalkaar and some others. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 유일한 공식 무료 SOC 게임! 설치도 없습니다! 경복의 바다 게임 플레이 Undo ABVP itself had protested earlier in the morning, also outside the VC office — but independently, and later moved to two internal campus roads where they pushed aside traffic barricades and cones installed for a one-way system operational from 9 am to 5 pm. Outsiders were spotted at the VC office protest by Dalal and in ABVP group who were putting aside barricades — drawing murmurs but no official response. VC Prof Renu Vig maintained that the focus of the affidavit was procedural rather than punitive, "The affidavit is meant to ensure protests happen in a structured and non-disruptive manner, with prior approval and at notified sites." Former dean student welfare Prof Jatinder Grover offered a cautionary perspective on affidavit row. "Yes, university work and functioning must not be obstructed. But peaceful protest is a democratic right, especially in academic spaces where ideas must be challenged and tested. To curb that through legal affidavits is a step backwards. Students should be educated and engaged in such a way — with confidence, political awareness, and dialogue — that they don't rush to protest, not scared into silence through paperwork. " Memorandums were submitted on both fronts: Archit handed over one to the VC, while Dalal submitted demands to DSW Prof Amit Chauhan, who came out to receive them in person.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Amid backlash over PU renaming demand, PUCSC prez shelves proposal, issues apology
Chandigarh: Facing intense criticism from students, alumni, and political voices across Punjab, Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal has decided not to submit his proposal seeking to rename Panjab University as 'Panjab and Haryana University'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The proposal, which had drawn support from Rohtak MP , has been stalled amid growing opposition. Dalal, in a video uploaded on social media, issued an apology. "I am not into divisive things… if anyone felt bad, I apologise," he said. Though the proposal had not yet been submitted to the vice-chancellor, Dalal confirmed he would not be going ahead with it. The move has triggered strong reactions from former Panjab University student leaders. Aam Aadmi Party MP Malvinder Singh Kang, who served as PUCSC president in 2002 and 2003, said, "Panjab University is not just an academic institution — it is Punjab's cultural, emotional and historical legacy. Its name reflects our identity before and after Partition." Kang pointed out that Haryana's colleges had voluntarily disaffiliated from Panjab University in 1973, and said demands to rename it now were unconstitutional and baseless. Congress leader and former PU student leader Brinder Dhillon also slammed the demand, calling it "an attack on the legacy of Punjabi language and heritage". He said the name Panjab University carries the weight of sacrifice and shared memory and should not be tampered with for political optics. Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda had earlier endorsed the renaming idea, saying it would acknowledge Haryana's contribution and that he would raise the matter in Parliament. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Several leaders from Punjab, cutting across party lines, rejected the statement. AAP and BJP both termed it an insult to Punjab's heritage. Despite the growing backlash, Hooda has not issued any clarification. Repeated attempts to reach him for comment went unanswered. The backlash extended into student politics. PUCSC vice president Archit Garg publicly opposed the proposal, calling it "unnecessary and disconnected from student needs". Dalal's former election ally Sikander Boora also criticised the move. Several members of Dalal's own party, Student Front, voiced dissent, with some describing the proposal as "a distraction from real student issues". AAP spokesperson Neel Garg said some leaders were resorting to stunts instead of addressing real issues, while BJP Punjab spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal called the renaming proposal "an affront to Punjab's identity".
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PU forms committee to draft constitution for student council
Chandigarh: Responding to a formal proposal by Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) vice president, the university vice chancellor has ordered to set up a five member committee to draft a written constitution for the student body — the first such attempt in the council's history. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Student council vice president Archit Garg, in a letter dated May 27, urged the Vice Chancellor to constitute a drafting committee to address what he described as a "crisis of representation, accountability, and legitimacy." He pointed out that the Council operates without a defined legal or procedural framework, reducing it to a "ceremonial body: visible, but voiceless; elected, but toothless." Acting on this proposal, the university has formed a five-member committee chaired by Professor Nandita from the Department of Education. The other members include Professor Sukhbir Kaur, former DSW (Women) from the Department of Zoology; Professor Ashok Kumar, former associate DSW from the Hindi Department; Professor Jagtar Singh, former DSW from the Department of Biotechnology; and an Assistant Registrar from the DSW office. Professor Nandita has previously chaired high-level committees — examining the functioning of the DSW office, and that framed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for student activities and institutional coordination. The SOPs were in the news earlier this month following new proposals restricting star nights, PUCSC involvement in official events, and introducing clearer rules for student trips — moves that followed the death of student leader Aditya Thakur on campus in March. "The idea is to build clarity and safeguards through proper documentation. A constitution will help define structure without undermining student expression. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We will consult widely before drafting," said Professor Nandita. The PUCSC was formed in the 1970s but has never had a written constitution. The newly formed committee is expected to hold initial consultations before submitting a draft. BOX- Call for student voices in process Welcoming the formation of the committee, Archit Garg said it was a step in the right direction but stressed that students must be given an active role in the drafting process. "Those who have been part of the council and understand its ground functioning must be roped in. Student representation on the committee is essential for legitimacy and accountability," he said. Students oppose proposal to rename PU A proposal to rename Panjab University as Punjab and Haryana University, supported by Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, has triggered strong opposition from many students. The suggestion was made in a letter from the Punjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) president Anurag Dalal to the Vice Chancellor, leading to widespread reaction across the campus and beyond. Several student groups and former student leaders took to social media to express their outrage. SATH, a student organisation, described the proposal as an attack on Punjab's heritage and identity, underlining Panjab University's origins in Lahore as central to its history. The group urged political parties in Punjab to come together to protect the university's name and its connection to Chandigarh. In addition to SATH, other student leaders including Saksham Sharma of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Kanwar Inder Pratap Singh of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) also spoke out against the proposal. Former PUCSC member Karan Randhawa joined them in criticising the suggested name change on social media, calling it inappropriate and stressing the importance of preserving the university's identity. While the proposal has received political backing from Deepender Hooda, many students and members of the university community remain opposed, emphasising the cultural and historical significance of the university's current name. They argue that Panjab University's name reflects its legacy and strong ties to Punjab, which should not be altered. The debate over the proposed name change continues to spark discussion among students, political figures, and other stakeholders, with many calling for the preservation of the university's historic identity.
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On last day, campus council president calls for renaming Panjab University to also include Haryana
With the term of the Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) ending on Thursday, outgoing president Anurag Dalal, hailing from Haryana, has submitted a memorandum to Panjab University (PU) vice-chancellor Renu Vig to change the varsity's name to 'Panjab and Haryana University'. At the same time, PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg, who hails from Punjab, opposed the move. Congress' Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, who backed Anurag's proposal, said he would place the issue in Parliament in its next session. As per the memorandum, Dalal has pointed out both Punjab and Haryana share historical and cultural, and that it aligns with the already existing nomenclature for the high court. Deepender Hooda said the council president had approached him, and the demand is genuine. 'It will mean a lot for the students of Haryana to see their representation in PU, considering Chandigarh is also the capital of Haryana, not just Punjab,' he said. 'When 48% of the PU students are Haryanvis, it is their right that the name of Haryana be included.' He added that with the support of other Congress MPs, he will bring this issue in Parliament. Meanwhile, PUCSC vice-president Archit Garg said, 'Panjab University's name is iconic. It was the name we chose after the university was relocated from Pakistan. It has its own unique identity. Its name shouldn't be changed.' In 2023, during the varsity's fourth global alumni meet, Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar had also raked up the issue of PU affiliation to Haryana colleges in nearby districts, like Ambala and Yamunanagar. Three meetings chaired by former Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit with the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana earlier in 2023 remained inconclusive. At the time of the Punjab's reorganisation in 1966, PU was declared an 'inter-state body corporate' under Section 72 (1) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The affiliation issue has remained a bone of contention, with Haryana offering to bear up to 40% of the total annual expenses of the cash-strapped university in exchange for affiliation to some of the colleges in Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar districts, and Punjab refusing to budge from its stance that the varsity belongs to it alone. Then Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar had said in the meetings that under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, the colleges and regional centres of Haryana were affiliated to PU. However, the arrangement was withdrawn by Haryana in 1973. Citing National Education Policy and how colleges are even getting affiliated with international universities, Khattar had said Haryana's colleges again be affiliated with PU.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
PU moves to fortify female quota in students' council
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Panjab University has begun the process of making its newly approved policy of female reservation in the Panjab University Campus Students' Council (PUCSC) legally and structurally foolproof. A committee of eight faculty members, including the Dean Student Welfare, Dean Student Welfare (Women), and Associate Dean Student Welfare, held its first meeting on Tuesday to work out the modalities of implementation. A meeting of PUCSC members and executive department representatives has also been called on Thursday to discuss the way forward. The committee has decided to analyse data from the past 10 years to assess the participation and success of women candidates in PUCSC elections. With women making up over 60% of the student population, the university aims to evaluate how well this demographic has been reflected in student leadership roles. Alongside the three deans, the committee includes five professors from departments such as law and political science. Some members have earlier engaged with election frameworks and are now contributing to shaping a model that is both representative and legally sound. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Где два мира сливаются воедино SAUDI Забронировать Undo A key concern is ensuring the move stands up to legal scrutiny. The Lyngdoh committee, which sets the framework for student elections across Indian universities, neither mandates nor prohibits female reservation. "The aim is to design a structure that reflects ground realities and does not have any legal lacuna," said a committee member, requesting anonymity. The committee also noted that similar reservation policies already exist in several other Indian universities, further strengthening the case for PU. The current exercise is focused on backing the vice chancellor–approved policy with strong legal reasoning, institutional data, and wider consultation before it is formally rolled out.
