Jolted by violence, PU makes efforts to save campus image
The recent murder on the South Campus, calls for resignations of varsity officials and student clashes have put the working of Panjab University under scrutiny. Varsity officials are now considering extreme measures to protect the institution’s image as a prestigious academic centre.
While the student council elections (usually held in August or early September) are still four months away, political groups are already indulging in extensive canvassing on campus.
The recent murder of a student by outsiders has given them a rallying point, campus security, for their campaigns. The victim’s father, in fact, was forced to issue a public statement asking university political groups not to use his son’s name to fulfill their own personal political aspirations.
Yet, two different groups have been staging separate protests demanding justice for the victim. “Those politicising a murder should be ashamed. The politics in the campus has actually forced the victim’s father to issue a public message. The groups pushing this incident for their own political ambitions should feel for the emotions of the victim’s family,” said an official, seeking anonymity.
The administration has also taken serious note of all the politicking. Sources privy to the development claimed that the authorities are in the middle of forming committees to address political parties “misguiding” students.
“The committees will also assess trouble-makers and work towards strengthening campus security and rebuilding the university image,” the official added.
“We don’t have any problem with political parties marking their presence in the campus. However, in recent incidents, the university has been put under tremendous pressure and the institutional image has also been tarnished. It may be unintentional, but it has to be streamlined,” said a top official of the university.
“The problem here is not the demands, it’s the ego of the political groups. The video of students fighting right in front of the security is heart wrenching. The politics on campus should be about students’ welfare, not settling personal scores,” another official added.
OSD to take charge today
Meanwhile, the varsity in a first appointed a former Superintendent of Police (SP) Tejinder Singh Sandhu as the PU officer on special duty (OSD), campus security. The official will take the charge on April 10. He, along with Anil Monga, former chairperson of PU police administration department, will conduct a security audit of the campus and its hostels to identify areas of concern and and ways to address them.
Cross-FIRs registered over scuffle
Two factions of NSUI lodged cross-complaints following the altercation near Boys Hostel No 4. One of the complainants, Jaskaran Singh, alleged that he was assaulted by Kuldeep Singh, Bhalu, Anurag, and others. In a counter-complaint, Kuldeep Singh accused Gurjeet, Jaskaran, and others of thrashing him.
Chandigarh