The Centre rescinded its decision to restructure Panjab University’s governing Senate and Syndicate after massive protests. Students, united under the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ alongside major political parties like AAP and Congress, successfully opposed the move to replace elected bodies with nominated members, demanding immediate Senate polls.
Centre Withdraws Controversial Panjab University Senate and Syndicate Restructuring Amid Intense Student and Political Backlash
Panjab University’s governance restructuring faced massive backlash, leading the Union Ministry of Education to withdraw its November 7, 2025, notification that aimed to restructure two critical bodies—the Senate and the Syndicate. The original October 28 notification proposed drastic changes, including reducing the Senate’s membership from 90 to 31 and turning both bodies into largely nominated bodies, replacing the traditional elected framework. This restructuring was viewed by many, including student groups and political parties in Punjab, as an attempt to undermine the university’s autonomy and federal character.​
The Proposed Governance Restructuring at Panjab University
The Union Ministry of Education, through a notification on October 28, 2025, sought to dramatically restructure the two most critical governing bodies of Panjab University (PU): the Senate (the supreme authority and policy-making body) and the Syndicate (the executive body). The rationale cited for these changes was a need for administrative efficiency, alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the recommendations of a 2021 expert panel.
The core of the proposed changes was to significantly reduce the size and shift the composition of both bodies from a largely elected structure to one heavily reliant on nominated and ex officio members:
- Senate Downsizing: The Senate’s membership was drastically reduced from approximately 90-91 to a mere 31.
- Abolition of Elected Representation: Crucially, the system allowing registered university graduates to elect 15 members (Ordinary Fellows) to the Senate was to be abolished. Instead, the Chancellor would nominate just two eminent alumni.
- Reduced Faculty Elections: The number of elected faculty members, principals, and teachers was to be sharply reduced, converting the Senate into a body with a strong nominated and administrative majority.
- Syndicate Recomposition: The executive Syndicate, traditionally headed by the Vice-Chancellor (VC) and comprising elected faculty members, was to be replaced with a body predominantly featuring ex officio members, including the Union Higher Education Secretary, the Education Secretaries of Punjab and Chandigarh UT, and nominees of the VC. This change effectively eliminated the elected component, consolidating administrative control.
These changes effectively shifted control from elected representatives to nominated officials, centralising power and altering the governance framework established since 1947.​
Involvement of Political and Social Organisations
The move garnered strong opposition across the political and social spectrum, transcending party lines in Punjab, with parties uniting to condemn the Centre’s decision as “unconstitutional” and an “anti-Punjab” act.
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his party vehemently opposed the move, terming it a “dictatorial” attempt to centralise power and vowing to challenge it in court. They led protests, including a candlelight march in Chandigarh’s Sector 17.
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann condemned it as unconstitutional and stated the state would challenge the notification in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- Farmer organisations, such as the BKU, joined the protests, entering Chandigarh amid heavy police barricades at the borders to support the students’ cause.
- Congress: Leaders like former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, along with MPs and state chiefs, visited the protest site, expressing solidarity and pledging to raise the issue in Parliament. They termed the move an attack on democracy.
- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): The party also denounced the restructuring as an attempt to dilute Punjab’s control over the institution.
- Punjab BJP: Even the state unit of the ruling party faced pressure and was forced to release a statement saying it was evaluating the situation and was committed to safeguarding Punjab’s interests.
- Student and Social Bodies: The Panjab University Bachao Morcha was the central coordinating body for students. Various student political groups, faculty associations like the Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA), alumni, and farmers’ bodies extended their support, collectively amplifying the demand for the restoration of the democratic structure.
Centre’s Withdrawal of the Notification
Faced with mounting political pressure and relentless student protests, the Ministry of Education rescinded the October 28 notification on November 7, 2025, restoring the previous governance system. This reversal was based on input from various stakeholders, including students, teachers, former and current Vice Chancellors, and student organisations. The Centre acknowledged the feedback and declared that the prior order altering the Senate and Syndicate’s constitution and composition had been rescinded. Despite the government’s withdrawal, protesters maintained their agitation, demanding timely Senate elections and continued oversight of university governance.​
This episode highlights the sensitive dynamics between academic autonomy, political influence, and federal governance structures in one of India’s oldest universities. The proposed governance changes, aiming to centralise control via nominations rather than elections, met fierce resistance due to concerns over the erosion of university independence and local representation. The centre’s withdrawal following collective public pressure is a significant outcome underscoring active civic engagement in university governance reforms.
Widespread Protests and Mobilisation
The notification triggered immediate and widespread outrage across the university, Punjab, and Chandigarh, leading to intense, sustained protests. The decision was widely condemned as an attack on the democratic, autonomous, and federal character of the 143-year-old institution, which holds a unique status as an ‘inter-state body corporate’ under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
- Student Agitation: Student bodies swiftly formed the joint platform, the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ (Save Panjab University Front), which led the charge. Protests intensified into a week-long indefinite sit-in and hunger strike, notably led by the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) General Secretary. The students’ primary demand shifted to a complete rollback of the restructuring and, subsequently, the announcement of long-pending Senate elections.
- Chandigarh Protest: The protests were not confined to the campus. Demonstrations spilt onto Chandigarh roads, including a massive ‘PU Bandh’ called by various organisations, which saw heavy police deployment and barricading around the university, leading to clashes and mild lathicharge (baton charge) against the protesters.
The Volte-Face and Continued Demand for Polls
Faced with mounting political pressure, widespread social condemnation, and a sustained on-campus agitation, the Union Ministry of Education made a volte-face. Initially, the Ministry merely deferred implementation of the notification, but on Friday, November 7, 2025, it officially rescinded the October 28 notification in its entirety. The Ministry stated that this decision was based on “suggestions and feedback from stakeholders like students, teachers, and former VCS.”
While the withdrawal was hailed as a “victory of students,” the protests did not cease. The Panjab University Bachao Morcha continued its agitation, demanding the immediate and formal announcement of the Senate election schedule, which had been long delayed, to restore democratic governance of the university fully. This ongoing demand highlights the deep-seated concern that until elections are held, the governance vacuum and the threat of centralisation remain.