Students Brace for Campus Shutdown as PU Protest Deepens Before Nov 26

The Panjab University Bachao Morcha on Thursday escalated its 20-day agitation by announcing a complete campus bandh on November 26—coinciding with the start of end-semester exams—and threatened to gherao BJP offices across Chandigarh and Punjab if the long-delayed senate election schedule is not announced by November 25. Supported by major farmer unions, including BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan), BKU Krantikari, and Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, the protest has shifted from a student-led movement against the Centre’s withdrawn restructuring notification to a broader Punjab-centric agitation.

University authorities warned that continued or escalated protests will force them to pursue legal action. Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig and Registrar YP Verma stated that every effort is being made to secure Centre approval for the poll schedule, with two senior officials travelling to Delhi on Friday for follow-up. They urged protesters to remain peaceful and patient, noting that approval for the previous senate elections also took over a month.

The Morcha’s November 10 bandh had already caused widespread disruption in the tricity, with protesters breaking university gates and police sealing borders for hours. A criminal case has been registered over the incident. Community langars from across Punjab continue to sustain the ongoing dharna on campus.

Also Read: Tirumala Laddu Scam: SIT Records Statement of YV Subba Reddy for Eight Hours

Students from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have distanced themselves from the November 26 bandh call, criticizing the agitation’s increasing politicization and Punjab-centric tone. Leaders from both states said the original demand for Senate elections has been overshadowed and announced they will not participate in the shutdown.

Also Read: Farmers’ Association Head Calls PM Modi’s Natural Farming Conference a Carefully Orchestrated Farce