PU Bachao Morcha: Protesting students call for boycott of exams starting November 18
PTC News Desk: Amid ongoing protest at Panjab University, the students have announced complete boycott of all upcoming examinations. The students are protesting under the banner of 'Panjab Bachao Morcha' are demanding the dates for new Senate elections.
However, the date for the new Senate elections has still not been announced. Therefore, the students have decided to continue their protest. The university administration says that this boycott may harm students who are relying on the “golden chance” or those undergoing medical procedures.
In response, the Morcha members said they are considering giving such students an exemption.
For now, it has been announced that until the date for the Senate elections is declared, students will not participate in any university activities. The students have also ignored the reprimand issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Exams to start from November 18
The university’s semester-wise examinations for various departments are scheduled to begin around November 18, 2025. Date sheets for these exams have already been issued to students in several departments.
As soon as election-related announcements were made at the university, opposition to them also began. Most department exams are set to begin later this month. For this, a meeting of leaders from different student unions involved in the Morcha has been called on November 20.
The issue of Panjab University Senate elections had reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court after former senator Harpreet Singh Dua filed a petition. During the hearing, the High Court strongly rebuked the protesting students, including the petitioner.
The court made strict remarks, saying that the academic functioning of Panjab University cannot be sacrificed for elections. Students should attend classes for at least seven days first. The division bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu is hearing the case.
Chief Justice Nagu remarked, “Are we talking about an educational institution or a political institution?” The court said that the university’s primary purpose is to provide education, and this purpose seems to be gradually getting sidelined.