New Delhi: The Centre has decided to put on hold its executive notification to amend the Panjab University Act, 1947, which proposed dissolving the university’s Senate and Syndicate and replacing them with nominated bodies.
According to senior government officials, the decision was taken at a meeting between Panjab University student representatives and senior officials at the Union Ministry of Education held Wednesday.
A political controversy erupted in Punjab following the Centre’s 28 October notification, amending the Panjab University Act, 1947.
The notification reduced the university’s Senate members from 90 to 31, abolished the graduates constituency entirely, and replaced the elected Syndicate with a largely nominated structure. The Senate is Panjab University’s top policy-making body, while the Syndicate is its executive body, handling day-to-day administration.
In the previous 90-member Senate, 47 fellows were elected, including 15 chosen by university graduates registered as Senate voters. However, the 28 October notification stated that two eminent university alumni will be nominated by the Chancellor, the Vice-President of India in the case of Panjab University.
During their meeting with ministry officials, the students discussed various issues related to academics, institutional governance, equity, and infrastructure. “The ministry decided that the recent notification regarding the governance structure of Panjab University will be put on hold and a new notification will be issued for the same soon,” a senior government official told ThePrint.
“The ministry reaffirmed to the students that it is committed to preserving the democratic ethos, academic excellence, and institutional integrity of Panjab University, emphasising that all its decisions are guided by inclusivity, transparency, and alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020,” the official said.
The 28 October notification invoked Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which allows the Centre to amend state laws governing inter-state institutions through ‘exceptions and modifications’.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had criticised the move as “totally unconstitutional” and declared that his government would take the matter to court.
However, officials at Panjab University maintained that the decision is lawful, stating that Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act gives the Centre authority over the inter-state university.
According to officials, the Centre also intervened to resolve the ongoing student protest against the university’s demand for a ‘no-protest’ affidavit and directed the Panjab University Vice-Chancellor to withdraw it.
Panjab University students were protesting the administration’s move that required prospective students to sign an affidavit barring them from participating in or organizing protests.
“Besides, the demand for a girls hostel was also discussed. The students were assured that the central government remains committed to them and will continue to support the university with adequate financial assistance for smooth functioning,” the government official said.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)