Panjab University Closed Today, Exams Put On Hold Amid Protests

Panjab University Closed Today, Exams Put On Hold Amid Protests

Panjab University was shut today after student groups called for a complete campus lockdown to press for the announcement of long-pending Senate election dates. In response, the university declared Wednesday a holiday and suspended all academic, administrative and office activity, as reported by news agency PTI.

The university also postponed examinations scheduled for today at four PU campus centres CHD40, CHD41, CHD43 and CHD44, which had earlier been shifted to DAV College, Sector 10. “The fresh dates for the conduct of these exams will be notified later," read the official PU statement.

This comes a day after PU authorities had stated that November 26 would remain a working day and ordered teachers and department heads to be present from 9 am to 5 pm. On Monday, Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig urged faculty members to counsel agitating students, saying that while protests are a democratic right, students appearing for exams must not be obstructed.

The agitation is being led by students under the Panjab University Bachao Morcha, who had warned that they would block the main entry gates of the varsity. Earlier on November 10, a large protest saw students clashing with campus security at the gates.

The unrest began after the Centre moved to restructure PU's governing bodies, the Senate and Syndicate. Although the Ministry of Education withdrew the order on November 7 following pressure from political leaders and students, demonstrators have continued their protest.

ALSO READ: Odisha Cabinet Approves Amendments To CGL, CHSL Recruitment Exam Rules

Swipe Left For Next Video

Their main demand is the announcement of the long-delayed Senate elections, which have not been held for over a year. The vice-chancellor previously said that the poll schedule has been sent to the Chancellor, India's Vice-President, for approval. However, student groups say the protest will continue until the schedule is officially made public.

Several political parties and farmer organisations, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Samyukta Kisan Morcha factions, have voiced support for the students.

Source: News18
Related Posts: Panjab University shut today Panjab University Postpones Exams Amid Student Protests Over Senate Polls Decks cleared for Panjab University student body polls on Sept 3 Lawrence Bishnoi forayed into world of crime as student of Panjab University in 2010 Heavy Security At Panjab University As Students Continue Protest Punjab University Or ‘Thar University’ Kanpur medical student called in for questioning in Delhi blast case Azim Premji University Student Council Says FIR Against Students An Brown University student says this is the 2nd school shooting she has survived Third-Year BTech Student Found Dead At Hostel Room Of Private University In Gurugram