Overview
- The Ministry of Education rescinded its 28 October notification that would have downsized the Senate, abolished Syndicate elections, and replaced elected seats with nominated members.
- Officials said the reversal followed inputs from students, teachers, former vice-chancellors, and the current vice-chancellor after the order was first put on hold this week.
- The Senate and Syndicate continue under the Panjab University Act, 1947, as students and faculty maintain demonstrations urging safeguards for the university’s democratic structure.
- Punjab AAP leaders met the Governor to demand a full rollback earlier in the week, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced a legal challenge to the now-withdrawn order.
- Welcoming the withdrawal, the BJP shifted focus to funding, asserting the Centre gave Rs 3,229 crore since 2014 versus Rs 538 crore from the state and alleging Rs 250 crore remains due from Punjab.