Sustained protest supported by cross-party leaders and farm unions, student community secures a major democratic victory
Chandigarh, November 27, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau) – In a decisive move that marks the end of a prolonged stalemate, the office of the Vice-President of India has officially approved the schedule for the much-delayed Senate elections at Panjab University (PU) Chandigarh. The development comes as a direct victory for the student body, which had launched a relentless ‘morcha’ (protest) on campus, demanding the restoration of their democratic rights.
The official communication, a copy of which has been accessed by Bharat Khabarnama, was dispatched from the office of the Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also serves as the Chancellor of the University. The letter, signed by an Under Secretary, confirms that the Chancellor has “approved the election schedule proposed by the University sent on November 9, 2025.” The communique was addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of PU and the Governor of Punjab.
The approval brings to a close a period of administrative uncertainty that had plagued the prestigious university. The Senate, the highest decision-making body of the university, had been functioning without elected representatives for an extended period, leading to widespread criticism and allegations of undermining the institution’s democratic fabric.
A senior university official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “With the Chancellor’s approval, the procedural hurdles are now cleared. The university administration is prepared to initiate the election process as per the proposed schedule. Notifications will be issued shortly.”
The Students’ Struggle
The Chancellor’s approval is being widely seen as a direct outcome of the massive and sustained student agitation that had brought the university to a standstill. The protest, which began as a sit-in at the university’s historic Student Centre, quickly snowballed into a major movement.
The core of the students’ demand was simple: Uphold the democratic ethos of Panjab University by conducting the Senate elections without further delay. They argued that the continued postponement was an attempt to centralize power and sideline the elected representatives who voice the concerns of students, teachers, and non-teaching staff.
The movement found unprecedented support, transforming from a campus issue into a major political flashpoint. Leaders from across the political spectrum, including the Congress, AAP, SAD and others, shared the stage at the protest site. Crucially, the protest garnered the solid backing of major farmers’ unions, both SKM, whose members joined the students in large numbers, drawing parallels between their own struggles for rights and the students’ fight for democracy.
A Victory Forced by Unity
“The Chancellor had no option but to listen. Our morcha was peaceful but unyielding. The support from all political parties and the annadata (farmers) showed that this was not just a student issue, but a fight for the soul of Panjab University,” said a jubilant Simran Kaur, a protester and student.
PU Bachao Morcha coordinator Avtar Singh, added, “This is a victory for every stakeholder of PU. It proves that when students unite, they can move the highest offices in the country. We are now vigilant and will ensure the election process is conducted fairly and transparently.”
The Road Ahead
With the official green light, the university is now set to enter a phase of intense political activity. The polls will decide representatives for the seats of graduates, teachers, and the Senate itself, which plays a pivotal role in deciding academic, administrative, and financial policies of the varsity.
The resounding success of the student ‘morcha’ not only secures the elections but also sets a powerful precedent for student-led movements across the country, demonstrating that organized, broad-based civic pressure can effectively engage with and influence the highest echelons of power.
