Panjab University closed today after student groups called for a complete lockdown of the campus to demand the announcement of long-overdue Senate election dates. In response, the university declared Wednesday a holiday and suspended all academic, administrative, and office activities, according to news agency PTI.
Panjab University exams postponed due to protest
The university also postponed exams scheduled for today at four PU campus centers: CHD40, CHD41, CHD43, and CHD44. These exams previously moved to DAV College, Sector 10. An official PU statement said, “The fresh dates for the conduct of these exams will be notified later.”
This decision came a day after PU authorities announced that November 26 would remain a working day and instructed teachers and department heads to be present from 9 am to 5 pm. On Monday, Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig urged faculty members to counsel students who are protesting. She noted that while protests are a democratic right, students taking exams should not obstructed.
Students demand for senate elections
The protests are led by students under the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, who threatened to block the main entry gates of the university. Earlier on November 10, a large protest occurred, resulting in clashes between students and campus security at the gates.
Their main demand is for the announcement of the long-delayed Senate elections, which have not conducts for over a year. The vice-chancellor previously said that the poll schedule has sent to the Chancellor, who is India’s Vice-President, for approval. However, student groups insist the protest continue until the schedule is publicly announced.
Several political parties and farmer organizations, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress, and Samyukta Kisan Morcha factions, have expressed support for the students.
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