Students Protest at Punjab University Over Senate Dissolution and Affidavit Row"
Chandigarh: In Punjab, rival political parties have now united on the issues of the Punjab University Senate and the affidavit controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Punjab University Vice Chancellor Renu Vig are being targeted by student associations as well as various political parties from different sides.
The student protests that began earlier over the affidavit issue have gained further momentum following the notification to dissolve the Senate and Syndicate. On these issues, the students have received full support from various political parties.
Earlier this year, Punjab University had asked newly admitted students to submit an affidavit, which sparked controversy. Following the backlash, the university administration has now moved to the backfoot. It is being said that while the administration is not ready to withdraw the affidavit directive completely, it has agreed to make changes in its terms and conditions.
The students, however, remain firm on their demand for complete withdrawal of the affidavit requirement. A consensus on the matter may be reached within a day or two, as the university administration is concerned that the situation could escalate further.
Abhishek Dagar, a student from the University Institute of Legal Studies department, has been on a hunger strike for the past four days. Placards reading “Students Save Senate” and “Save PU” have been displayed. Several leaders from Punjab and Haryana have visited him, including MP Manish Tewari, Malwinder Singh Kang, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, and Deepender Hooda, among others such as leader Prem Singh Chandumajra.
The police are under pressure to end the hunger strike as soon as possible. This led to clashes twice — once late on Sunday night and again on Monday afternoon.
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