#SavePUFromCentre: Panjab University students protest against conversion to central university

NEW DELHI: Students of Panjab University, Chandigarh are protesting against the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s direction to the central government for consideration of the conversion of Panjab University into a central university. Students from different organisations on Thursday were lathicharged by Punjab Police when they were on their way to Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s residence. Now, they have launched an online campaign on Twitter #SavePUFromCentre.

Students of Panjab University Chandigarh are being cane charged by police when they were trying to go towards Governor house Punjab to submit their memorandum against the centralisation of panjab university Chandigarh.
Video : Punjab Students Union ( PSU ) #SavePUFromCentre # pic.twitter.com/0WMhNse6sJ

— Nαvikαrαn βαtth  (@NavikaranBatth) June 10, 2022

Everyone Should raise their voice to save Punjab university from centre. Salute to those Students Who struggle to save Punjab University#SavePUFromCentre pic.twitter.com/XuXYpyWArI

— Pendu (@Cultural_Pendu) June 10, 2022

Punjab University belongs to Punjab. but instead of voicings against the
central govt cheap strategic plan to
suck off state resources, the @PunjabGovtIndia used @PunjabPoliceInd against students protesting to save
PU, assaulting them with batons.#SavePUFromCentre pic.twitter.com/w3TnfCYQCe

— ਦੀਪ ਸੰਧੂ Deep Sandhu (@_Deep_KSandhu) June 10, 2022

Punjab University was founded with the great efforts of Punjabis in 1882. AAP Govt has been targeting students instead of standing up for Punjab. They want to serve our water, jobs, universities and industries on a silver platter to Delhi and Centre. #SavePUFromCentre https://t.co/0UHJGXjwkF

— Anuroop Kaur Sandhu (@AnuroopSandhu) June 9, 2022

Students were lathicharged by Punjab Police when they were on their way to submit a memorandum to the Punjab Governor. Amandeep Kaur, a student leader from Punjab Students Union (PSU) Lalkaar told Careers360, “We are protesting against the two-week long silence of the Punjab government against the centralisation of Panjab University. At least three girls are hospitalised now after being lathicharged by police.”

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“We have given the memorandum to an official of the central government. Punjab Police officials have taken the memorandum on behalf of the state government. We have now been scheduled to meet Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today. We are still doubtful whether this meeting will happen or not. We will decide our future course of action based on the outcome of this meeting,” she added.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has also extended his support to the students. He has appealed to all parties to unite and pass a resolution in Vidhan Sabha against the “unilateral act of BJP”.

I’m appalled at the stoic silence of @BhagwantMann on fatal attack of Centre on our federal structure by trying to take over Punjab University CHD! I strongly condemn this unilateral act of Bjp & oppose it tooth & nail.All parties must unite & pass a resolution in d Vidhan Sabha pic.twitter.com/5wvEr4DC8o

— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) June 10, 2022

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in a tweet on May 25 demanded that CM Mann should defend state's interests vigorously in court and before the centre.

This happens when we have a govt which is run from Delhi & is oblivious about defending Punjab & its interests. @BhagwantMann shud act decisively & defend State's interests vigorously in court & before the centre. SAD always defeated conspiracies to transfer control of PU to GOI. pic.twitter.com/vqh5pOJihK

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) May 24, 2022

On its official website, Panjab University has stated that it was established in 1882. The website further says that it is a central and state governments funded university located in Chandigarh. In May 2022, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Central Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education, to consider the issue of conversion of Panjab University into a Central university. The next date of hearing is August 30.

In the recently released QS World University Rankings, Panjab University fell to the 1,201-1,400 bracket. It was in the 1,001-1,200 bracket in last year's QS World University Rankings.