Chandigarh, 22 December 2024: Tensions flared at Panjab University (PU) on Saturday as members of the Panjab University Bachao Morcha were detained for protesting during the Global Alumni Meet, which was attended by Vice-President of India and Chancellor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The students were demanding immediate senate elections and planned to burn effigies of the chancellor and vice-chancellor.
Students claimed that police began detaining protesters as early as Saturday morning, with videos showing officers apprehending them from various departments.
Despite this, some students managed to burn a miniature effigy of the chancellor near the library, adjacent to the Student Centre, while police stood by. Shops at the Student Centre were also shut down by the authorities without prior notice.
Gagandeep Singh, a coordinator of the protest group, stated that approximately 10 students were taken into custody, including those picked up directly from the demonstration outside the vice-chancellor’s office.
One video showed a police officer, identified as Station House Officer Narinder Singh, pushing a student during an argument before detaining them.
Friday saw Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring meet Dhankhar to discuss the pending senate elections.
However, Dhankhar did not address the matter in his speech at the alumni event. Archit Garg, vice-president of the Panjab University Campus Student Council, said they had submitted a memorandum to the chancellor outlining key demands.
These included holding the overdue elections, installing a statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, improving sports facilities, and creating better placement opportunities for students.
Dhankhar was also scheduled to meet with representatives of the Panjab University Teachers Association (PUTA) and the Staff Association at Golden Jubilee Hall.
However, after delivering his address at the inauguration at the Law Auditorium, he left without attending the meeting, leaving the protesters and university staff dissatisfied.
