CHANDIGARH: The Panjab University Bachao Morcha, which has been staging an indefinite dharna outside the vice-chancellor’s office demanding the announcement of dates for the Senate polls, has given an ultimatum to the university administration till November 25.
“If the dates are not announced, we will shut down the Panjab University campus on November 26 and stage a protest against the Modi government and the PU authority at the Centre,” the Morcha said. The decision was taken during a meeting with public and democratic organisations and social activists of Punjab today.
During the meeting with farmers, students and employees’ organisations, participants condemned what they called attempts by the BJP and RSS to privatise and centralise education. They discussed the New Education Policy-2020, saying it is accelerating privatisation, centralisation and saffronisation of education. The attack on the university’s Senate was also described as part of the same plan.
The organisations reiterated that Punjab has a legal and constitutional right over Panjab University. They called for the struggle to be expanded to all affiliated colleges and educational institutions. They also criticised the central government for allegedly attempting to create a divide among people by presenting the issue as Punjab versus Haryana.
