The Punjab University (PU) Senate and Syndicate-related controversy has been causing significant uproar in the past few days. This dispute is linked to the Central Government’s attempt to change the university’s governance structure, which is being viewed as an action to erode Punjab’s autonomy in Chandigarh.
SNPNEWS.IN News Update (Gurmail Kamboj): On October 28, 2025, the Center issued a Gazette notification under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966, according to which Punjab University, established in Lahore in 1882 and re-established in Chandigarh after the partition in 1947, became an inter-state body under the Punjab Reorganization Act 1966. Its funding and control are shared between the Center and Punjab.
In the university’s governance, the Senate (a top body with 91 members, including 47 elected members, among whom 15 are from the Graduates Constituency) and the Syndicate (an executive body with 15 members) play key roles. The notification proposed scrapping the Senate and reducing its members from 91 to 31 (24 Ordinary Fellows + 7 Ex-Officio), limiting elected members to just 14, and completely abolishing the Graduates Constituency. The remaining appointments would be made by the Chancellor.
According to the notification, the Syndicate’s elected 15-member body would be replaced with a smaller body based on nominations, and the authority to lead the Syndicate would be given to the Vice-Chancellor. This would include central secretaries and other nominated members. These changes were aimed at “centralizing” the university, which raised fears of reducing electoral democracy. As a result, students took to protests, and widespread opposition to this decision was seen across Punjab. Ruling party AAP’s MPs Malvinder Kang and Meet Hayer, along with former university president and MLA Dalvir Singh Khangura, along with all other parties, stood against the Central Government’s decision.
Following large-scale protests on November 4-5 and the Punjab Government’s announcement of challenging it in the High Court, the Center issued a new notification (S.O. 5022(E) and S.O. 5023(E)). In this, the October 28 notification was “suspended,” but not fully revoked. Students and struggle committee leaders viewed this as an “eyewash,” as there was a possibility of implementing these changes in the future.
On November 7, BJP leader and Ravneet Singh Bittu shared information about this matter on social media and stated that the Center would revoke the notification. Shortly after, the Center issued a new notification revoking the “suspension” notification of November 4 entirely. As a result, the original October 28 notification was also revoked, and the university’s old governance structure (Senate and Syndicate) was restored. This decision was taken in view of the opposition from students, faculty, and political parties.
Students’ unions and political leaders have counted this revocation as a “big victory,” but they are demanding an immediate announcement of Senate elections (whose previous term ended in 2023). This has become a topic of discussion and conflict regarding the already scheduled sit-in protest on November 10 at the university.
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In connection with the Punjab University (PU) Senate controversy, to stop the large gathering/protest scheduled for November 10, 2025, the Chandigarh administration and university administration have taken several strict steps. These steps are said to have been taken to control the gathering called by students and the struggle committee to save the university’s governance under the ‘PU Bachao Morcha.’
Effective from November 8, entry of outsiders into the university has been banned. Only individuals with PU ID cards and vehicles with university stickers will be allowed inside. This decision has been taken to prevent organizations and supporters from participating in the protest. Additionally, on November 9, the university declared holidays on November 10 and 11. To stop the gathering on November 10, the university administration has locked the guest house, leaving no place for visiting alumni and supporters to stay. According to a circular issued on November 9 (Sunday), all shops in the campus will remain closed on November 10.
This step is also being considered as an attempt to thwart the gathering, as such official work does not usually happen on weekends (holidays). These decisions are being viewed by students as an attempt to foil their gathering.
Heavy police forces have been deployed at the university’s entry points (such as Gate No. 2), and large-scale security forces have been stationed in every square of Chandigarh. Despite the efforts of the police and administration, young people and workers from associated organizations began gathering inside and outside the university itself tonight, leading to a dispute around 9 PM at Gate No. 2 between security forces and students over opening the gate.