Panjab University appoints Meenakshi Goyal acting vice chancellor; student protests over PhD scholar's death

Panjab University (PU) has appointed Meenakshi Goyal, the Dean of University Instruction (DUI), as the vice-chancellor (VC). Also, students at the university held a protest today following the death of a 28-year-old PhD scholar who allegedly suffered an electric shock on the university campus.

According to the statement from the education ministry, the appointment of the new vice-chancellor, Goyal, will be effective from the forenoon of July 29 and will remain in force until further orders or until a permanent vice-chancellor is appointed.

The deceased scholar, identified as Jyoti, was pursuing a PhD in the Department of Microbiology at Panjab University. She allegedly died after coming in contact with an electric current while walking towards her department from her hostel on Tuesday.

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PhD scholar dies after an electric shock

According to university officials, Jyoti took an unpaved pathway after rainfall waterlogged the area. She allegedly came in contact with an electric current that may have passed from a nearby electric junction box.

Following the incident, she collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Jyoti, a resident of Rewari, Haryana, was 28 years old. Officials said her family has been informed about the incident.

Students protest outside VC office

After the student's death, students staged a protest outside the former Renu Vig vice-chancellor's office and raised slogans against the university authorities. They demanded action against those responsible for electricity maintenance and sought accountability for the incident.

"It was an unfortunate incident. Nobody is ready to take responsibility for the incident. We demand accountability from the university authorities," a protesting student said.

Students questioned the safety measures on the campus and demanded that those responsible for the alleged negligence be identified.

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VC assures action against those responsible

The immediate past Panjab University vice chancellor, Renu Vig, urged the protesting students to remain calm and assured them that necessary action would be taken.

"It is an unfortunate incident. We will do whatever we can. If anyone is responsible for the incident, responsibility will be fixed," Renu Vig said.

The university is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate action based on the findings.