Panjab University Rocked by Massive Protests Over Delayed Senate Elections

Widespread Agitation Grips Panjab University

Chandigarh, India – Panjab University in Chandigarh became the focal point of a large-scale protest on Monday, November 10, 2025, as approximately 5,000 protesters, comprising students, farmer organizations, Panthic outfits, and various political groups, converged on the campus. The demonstration, spearheaded by the 'Panjab University Bachao Morcha,' escalated into confrontations with law enforcement, with protesters smashing police barricades and breaking through entry gates in their demand for the immediate announcement of Senate elections. Police resorted to a mild lathicharge to control the agitated crowd.

The unrest led to significant disruptions, including heavy police deployment of around 2,000 personnel, barricading of university entry points and the Chandigarh-Mohali border, and traffic standstills. In response to the escalating tensions, the university administration declared a two-day holiday for November 10 and 11, restricting campus entry to only those with valid ID cards.

Demand for Democratic Governance

The core of the protest centers on the long-pending Senate elections. The Senate, a 91-member body, serves as the highest governing authority of Panjab University, and its elections have not been held for over a year. Protesters argue that the delay undermines the institution's democratic ethos and centralizes decision-making.

The agitation gained momentum following a controversial notification issued by the Ministry of Education on October 28, 2025. This order proposed to restructure the university's governing bodies, specifically reducing the Senate's strength from 91 to 31 members and abolishing elections for the Syndicate, its executive body. This move was widely perceived as an attack on the university's autonomy and sparked widespread political and academic backlash.

Centre's Rollback Fails to Quell Protests

Despite the Ministry of Education's decision to withdraw its controversial October 28 order on November 7, 2025, the protests continued unabated. Student leaders and supporting organizations maintained that the rollback was insufficient without a formal announcement and schedule for the Senate elections. They vowed to continue their agitation until a concrete election timeline is provided.

Support for the student movement has come from various quarters, including leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), as well as farmer leaders and social activists. These groups have accused the Centre of attempting to 'capture' the educational institution and undermine its independence.

Ongoing Standoff and University Response

As the protests unfolded, Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Professor Renu Vig stated that the university had initiated the process to conduct Senate elections in accordance with the Ministry of Education's November 7 notification. However, this statement did not deter the protesters, who continued to demand a definitive schedule.

The situation remains tense, with security measures heightened across Chandigarh. The demonstrators have indicated their resolve to continue the agitation until their primary demand for the announcement of Senate election dates is met, signaling that the struggle for the university's democratic rights is far from over.