Panjab University Faces Student Revolt, Centre Faces Heat

Chandigarh Punjab University (PU), one of India’s oldest institutions,has become the epicCentre of a student resistance

and a political clash between Punjab and the Centre.

Within two months, the campus saw hunger strike, sit-ins, police action,

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and finally the withdrawal of a controversial “no protest” affidavit

-yet The fight for autonomy is far from over.

The unrest began in June 2025, when students discovered a clause in the university’s handbook

requiring new entrants to sign an affidavit pledging, not to protest without prior permission.

Violations could lead to expulsion or cancellation of admission. The administration claimed it was to maintain discipline, but students called it an attack on democratic rights.

Led by PUCSC general secretary Abhishek Dagar, protests quickly spread across departments.

Hunger strikes, Symbolic demonstrations, and campus blockades followed.

By early November, tension escalated after Police were called to disperse Demonstrators.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court also took note,seeking a response from the university.

On November 4, the University withdrew the affidavit “in the larger interest of students,”

sparking celebrations and making what many called a victory for free expression.

But even as the affidavit issue ended, a bigger controversy emerged.

On October 28, 2025.

The Union Ministry of education issued a notification restricting PU’s  governance.

The century old Senate and syndicate : key decision making bodies were dissolved.

The Senate’s strength was cut from 90 to 31 members,

with most now nominated rather than elected, and the alumni voting constituency abolished.

The Centre defended the move as modernisation under the National Education Policy 2020,

However, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and opposition party condemned it as an “attack  Punjab’s right”.

faculty and alumni warned that replacing elected representatives with nominated ones under PU’s democratic legacy.

Several international alumni groups echoed these concerns, calling  it “silent centralization.”

While the education ministry stands by its decision, it has hinted at possible review talks with the Punjab Government.

student bodies now demand the restoration of elected representation in the restructured Senate.

For many the Punjab university episode symbolizes a larger struggle between student democracy and administrative control between state autonomy and Central power.

The withdrawal of the affidavit may have ended one chapter, but the battle over governance and academic freedom in India’s federal structure continues.

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