Chandigarh | November 10, 2025 —Tension gripped Panjab University (PU) on Monday as protests over the delay in announcing the long-pending Senate elections turned chaotic. Amid chants, barricades, and a mild lathicharge, the campus became the epicentre of a growing agitation that drew in student leaders, political figures, and farmer unions from across Punjab.
Heavy Security as Students Demand Senate Poll Schedule
The day began with heavy police deployment at PU’s main gates as students gathered under the banner of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha (PUBM), demanding the immediate release of the Senate election schedule. Despite barricades and restricted entry points, protestors managed to breach police lines and enter through Gate No. 1, clashing briefly with security personnel.
Chants of “Go Back Chandigarh Police” echoed across the campus as demonstrators accused the administration of blocking students’ entry and using force to suppress the movement. According to student leaders, the protest was intended to be peaceful, but police action escalated tensions.
Farmers Join Hands with Students
By afternoon, the protest gained momentum when farmer leaders affiliated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) joined the agitation. Denied entry into Chandigarh at the Mohali Phase-6 border, they broke through police barricades, creating massive traffic jams on the Chandigarh-Zirakpur-Mohali stretch.
SKM leader Balbir Singh Rajewal led the march, raising issues beyond the campus, including Chandigarh’s governance and Punjab’s river water rights, declaring that the agitation would continue “until all contentious issues are resolved once and for all.”
Other prominent farmer leaders — Sarwan Singh Pandher, Kaka Singh Kotra, and MS Rai — later joined students inside the university to express solidarity.
Political Leaders Visit the Dharna Site
As the day unfolded, a stream of political leaders arrived at the PU campus in support of the students. Those present included Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh, and several MPs including Dr Amar Singh and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi.
Former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal and Haryana farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni also visited, emphasizing that the demand for free and fair elections was not limited to the university but was “a larger question of democratic rights.”
Police Clash and Growing Tension
Chaos erupted when students allegedly removed barricades and broke open university gates, forcing senior police officials — including IG Pushpinder Kumar and SSP Kanwardeep Kaur — to leave the campus temporarily. Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to disperse crowds after protestors reportedly manhandled personnel and seized police canes.
The agitation disrupted traffic routes leading to PGIMER and Sector 14, while security checkpoints and parked buses were used to restrict movement. Police also hinted at calling in reserve forces to control the swelling crowd.
Protestors Vow to Stay Until Demands Are Met
By evening, student leaders confirmed that 50–70 protestors would camp on campus overnight, while others would return and regroup the next morning. PUCSC Vice-President Ashmeet Singh said,
“We had planned a peaceful protest, but the administration and police provoked students. We will not leave until the Senate election schedule is announced.”
Student leader Abhishek Dagar echoed the sentiment, reaffirming that the ‘PU Bandh’ would continue “until democratic norms are restored.”
Meanwhile, langar services were set up by supporters to sustain the sit-in, as students accused authorities of controlling tents, sound systems, and other logistics without proper approval.
The Controversy Behind the Unrest
The agitation stems from the Centre’s now-withdrawn notification dated October 28, which amended the Panjab University Act, 1947 — reducing the Senate’s strength from 91 to 31 members and removing elections for the Syndicate. The move triggered widespread criticism from students, faculty, and political circles in Punjab, calling it an attempt to “undermine the university’s autonomy.”
Although the Ministry of Education withdrew the order on November 7, protestors have remained steadfast, demanding the formal notification of Senate elections before ending the agitation.
Road Ahead
With both students and farmers refusing to retreat, the standoff at Panjab University shows no sign of easing. Police remain on high alert, and additional barricades have been placed at city borders to prevent escalation.
As night falls over Chandigarh’s premier university, the message from protestors remains clear — “No retreat until democracy is restored on campus.”