Heavy police presence was deployed at and around Panjab University campus on Monday as students prepared for a shutdown protest. The students, organized under the 'Panjab University Bachao Morcha', are demanding the announcement of Senate election schedule. Although the Ministry of Education withdrew its controversial restructuring order on November 7, which had reduced the Senate size and eliminated Syndicate elections, students continued their agitation. The withdrawn notification, issued on October 28, had aimed to reduce Senate strength from 91 to 31 members. Entry points to the campus were barricaded, checkpoints established on roads, and security deployed at the Chandigarh-Mohali border. University authorities declared holidays on Monday and Tuesday, permitting only those with valid ID cards to enter. Political leaders from AAP, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, along with farmers' groups and artists, have voiced support for the protesting students.
Campus Lockdown and Continued Student Demands
Despite the Centre withdrawing its October 28 order on November 7, students refused to halt their protest and called for a university shutdown on Monday. The Panjab University Campus Students Council vice-president Ashmeet Singh stated that all arrangements for a peaceful demonstration were complete, though many students were reportedly denied campus entry. Student leader Abhishek Dagar emphasized the protest would remain peaceful and continue until the Senate poll schedule is officially announced. The Senate elections have been delayed for over a year. University officials restricted campus access to ID card holders only, while police established barricades at entry points and deployed security personnel extensively across surrounding areas and border checkpoints.
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