Refernce To Hindustan Times.
Panjab University (PU) has formally revoked its controversial anti-protest affidavit after agitating students in the university took a week-long protest against the university. The announcement was announced on Tuesday evening following riveting protests that rocked the university over the course of days.
Witdrawed Affidavit Following Huge March.
This move to withdraw the affidavit happened a few hours after an estimated number of 125 students accompanied by close to 50 members of the Bharatiya Kisan Majdoor Morcha marched to the administration block starting at the office of the vice-chancellor. The rollback had to be publicly announced by registrar YP Verma, as demanded by the protesters.
Students had stormed the administration block, broke the gates and sat down in a sit-in outside the office of the registrar as tension increased. When there was no official reply after close to an hour, they advised the employees to leave the place and in the process shut down the administration activities in the afternoon.
Relief and Resolution
The decision was later affirmed by Dean Student Welfare (DSW) Amit Chauhan. New admissions in the university were being signed on the affidavit, which he was now announcing in its entirety.
After the announcement, PUCSC general secretary Abhishek Dagar lifted his seven-day hunger strike and was taken to the Max Hospital, Mohali, to be put under medical scrutiny.
How the Protests Escalated
It started when on October 30, student groups began a sit-in outside the V-C office. That very day, Dagar went on an indefinite hunger strike which required the withdrawal of the affidavit. Shortly afterwards, some other student groups joined the movement increasing the pressure on university authorities.
Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi, former MP Simranjeet Singh Mann and farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal were among the political figures who came to the protest site to express their support.
Punjabi singer Babu Maan also congratulated the students which, as he stated, was a well deserved victory. In like manner, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the chief of Punjab Congress, praised the persistence of the students, writing on X (previously Twitter):
The initial move has been achieved; the PU administration has at last rescinded the affidavit rule. The fight will be to the very end against any action that undermines the spirit of democracy in Panjab University.
What the Controversial Affidavit Stated
The affidavit was introduced in June 2025 and was mandatory for new students, whom the University must first obtain permission to organize any type of protest. It restricted the protest to a certain zone around the Police Chowki and Health Centre in Sector 14.
Students were punished severely in case of violations- they might be disqualified in exams or could not participate in campus elections, admissions could be withdrawn or even students may not be allowed to enter into university premises.
Wider Requirements and Political Pressure.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) leader of the PUCSC Gauravveer Singh Sohal confirmed that a delegation of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had met Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education who assured them that the affidavit would be withdrawn.
Their address to the Ministry of Education also wished wider changes that included:
- The proposed senate structure would consist of students.
- ₹7,100 crore investment in infrastructure improvements.
- Exemption of the municipal corporation on property tax.
- Application of OBC reservation.
- The outstanding auditorium project to be completed.
- Appreciation of PU as an Institute of Eminence.
Protest against Senate Reforms to Go On.
Although the administration claimed that student organisations will halt their protest in every form, the leaders have indicated clearly that the agitation will still persist.
PUCSC vice-president Ashmeet Singh said, The fight was never about the affidavit. We now go on with our fight against senate reforms.
SOPU leader Avtar Singh affirmed that they would resume protests on Wednesday and Tarsem Singh, the father of arrested leader Amritpal Singh, would be present in the protests.
Mohit Manderana, who is a council member, said that though the affidavit was a crucial instrument in our struggle, the senate is the heart of our campus. Wednesday, we will keep on protesting in order to defend it
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