Police lathi charge on students protesting Senate election delay at Panjab University in Chandigarh
PTC Web Desk: Tensions flared on Wednesday at Panjab University in Chandigarh as students engaged in a violent clash with the police, seekingthe release of a notification for the Senate elections. The protesters, who had planned to surround the Vice Chancellor's (VC) residence, were stopped by the police, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a lathi charge.
Earlier, the students tried to march towards the VC's residence to demand immediate action on the senate election notification. However, just before reaching the location, they altered their route and proceeded towards the Law Auditorium, where the Punjab Vision-2047 programme was being held. The programme saw the participation of several state ministers and business leaders, prompting heightened security around the area.
The police attempted to block the students from reaching the auditorium. As tensions escalated, the authorities intensified their efforts to contain the crowd, which led to a brief but intense standoff. The situation took a more violent turn when the police used force, conducting a lathi charge to disperse the students. Several students sustained injuries, with reports indicating that some were bleeding from the impact.
The students remained undeterred by the use of force. They continued to demand that the VC meet them at the protest site, rather than arranging a meeting elsewhere. When their demands went unmet, the students decided to intensify their protest by marching around the campus and eventually sitting in a sit-in demonstration.
According to university rules, the notification for elections must be issued at least 240 days prior to the polling, but no such notification has been released for this year's Senate elections, despite the previous Senate's term having ended in October. The protesters said even if the notification was issued now, it would still take approximately 240 days for the elections to be held.
In the aftermath of the clash, the Dean of Student Welfare (DSW) intervened, offering to arrange a meeting with the VC. However, the students remained firm in their stance, demanding an immediate face-to-face with the VC at the protest site.
Meanwhile, all major political parties in Punjab are lending their support to the students' cause. Senior leaders from the Congress and the BJP visited the protest site to express solidarity with the students. Congress leaders, including Chandigarh MP, also met Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to press for the immediate holding of the Senate elections. Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has also written to the Vice President urging him to intervene and expedite the election process.
The Senate elections are critical as they form the highest decision-making body at Panjab University, representing a cross-section of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and other members from the state government. These elections have historically been held in a timely manner, with notifications issued well in advance. However, the current delay has caused significant frustration among students, who have vowed not to relent until their demands are fulfilled
- PTC NEWS
