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{{short description|Student protest coalition at Panjab University, Chandigarh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
[[File:Panjab-University-Bachao-Morcha-10-Nov-2025.jpg|thumb|A rally of Panjab University Bachao Morcha on 10 November 2025]]

'''Panjab University Bachao Morcha''' ('''PUBM''') is a student-led protest coalition at [[Panjab University]], Chandigarh, India, formed in early November 2025 in response to proposed changes in the university's governance structure and delays in holding Senate elections.<ref name="IE-explainer" /><ref name="TOI-unite" />

The movement's core demands are restoration of the pre–28 October 2025 Senate structure and immediate announcement of long-pending Senate election dates, which had not been notified even after the Union Ministry of Education withdrew its restructuring notification in early November 2025.<ref name="IE-explainer" /><ref name="HT-rollback" /> Between 1 and 17 November 2025, the Morcha organised an indefinite sit-in (''dharna''), a campus shutdown on 10 November, and later called for a boycott of examinations scheduled from 18 November onwards. The agitation led to postponement of examinations across Panjab University and more than 200 affiliated colleges, drew national media attention, and triggered political debate over university autonomy and Punjab's role in Panjab University.<ref name="TOI-exams" /><ref name="HT-examBoycott" />

== Background ==
The Senate's term had expired on 31 October 2024, but elections were not held for over a year, leading to a prolonged period without an elected governing body.<ref name="HT-rollback" />

On 28 October 2025, the Union Ministry of Education issued a notification proposing major restructuring, including reducing the Senate from 91 members to 31 and abolishing the Graduate constituency elections.<ref name="IE-explainer" /> Critics argued that the proposal would centralise control, weaken representation, and dilute Punjab's historic stake in the university.<ref name="TOI-opposition" />

Following protests and political pressure from Punjab-based organisations and parties, the Union government withdrew or placed the notification in [[abeyance]].<ref name="TOI-bjp" /><ref name="HT-rollback" />

== Formation ==
PUBM emerged in the first days of November 2025 as a joint front of student organisations opposing the restructuring and demanding Senate elections.<ref name="TOI-unite" /><ref name="Quint-gates" /> The coalition includes student wings associated with the [[Aam Aadmi Party]], [[Indian National Congress]], [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], Left organisations, and independents.<ref name="TOI-unite" /> ABVP supported a smaller Senate but did not join the joint front.<ref name="TOI-unite" />

== Objectives and demands ==
* Immediate notification of Senate elections under the pre–28 October structure.<ref name="HT-deadline" />
* Withdrawal of centralisation attempts in governance.<ref name="TOI-opposition" />
* Withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters.<ref name="HT-FIR" />
* Consultation with stakeholders before future governance changes.<ref name="IE-farmers" />

== Timeline (1–17 November 2025) ==

=== Indefinite dharna ===
PUBM launched a continuous dharna beginning in early November.<ref name="HT-rollback" /> After the rollback of the notification, student leaders continued the agitation, insisting on immediate election dates.<ref name="TOI-bjp" />

=== 10 November mobilisation ===
PUBM called for a campus shutdown on 10 November 2025.<ref name="IE-farmers" /> Heavy security was deployed ahead of the protest.<ref name="Print-security" /> Reports estimated over 5,000 protesters entered the campus, resulting in barricade breaches and clashes with police.<ref name="Quint-gates" /><ref name="HT-FIR" /> The protest drew support from farmer leaders and prominent political figures.<ref name="TOI-opposition" />

=== Exam boycott and postponement ===
On 15 November, PUBM called for a boycott of exams beginning 18 November.<ref name="HT-examBoycott" /> Soon after, Panjab University postponed examinations scheduled for 18–20 November.<ref name="TOI-exams" />

== Participation and support ==
The movement has drawn support from:
* Student groups across ideological lines<ref name="TOI-unite" />
* Farmer unions involved in the 2020–21 farmers’ protest<ref name="IE-farmers" />
* Panthic organisations and [[Nihang]] groups<ref name="Quint-gates" />
* Politicians from major parties in Punjab<ref name="TOI-opposition" />

== Government and university response ==
PU has stated that a proposed Senate election schedule was forwarded to the Chancellor and is awaiting approval.<ref name="HT-rollback" /> The Punjab BJP stated that the restructuring will not be implemented.<ref name="TOI-bjp" />

== Criticism and controversies ==
Concerns raised include:
* Violence and barricade breaches on 10 November<ref name="HT-FIR" />
* Influence of political and non-student actors<ref name="IE-farmers" />
* Internal differences among student organisations<ref name="TOI-unite" />

== Impact ==
* Postponement of exams for thousands of students<ref name="TOI-exams" />
* Rollback of the governance restructuring order<ref name="TOI-bjp" />
* Increased debate about PU's governance and Punjab's representation<ref name="IE-explainer" /><ref name="IE-farmers" />
* Major revival of student political mobilisation<ref name="Quint-gates" />

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="IE-explainer">{{cite news |title=After a flip-flop, Centre finally withdraws controversial notification on PU Senate |work=The Indian Express |date=8 November 2025 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/flip-flop-centre-withdraws-controversial-notification-pu-10352933/ |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="TOI-unite">{{cite news |title=Students unite across party lines to resist PU Senate overhaul |work=The Times of India |date=November 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/students-unite-across-party-lines-to-resist-senate-overhaul/articleshow/125144645.cms |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="HT-rollback">{{cite news |title=Amid backlash, Centre withdraws notification on Panjab University senate reforms |work=Hindustan Times |date=8 November 2025 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/amid-backlash-centre-withdraws-notification-on-panjab-university-senate-reforms-101762542192485.html |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="TOI-exams">{{cite news |title=PU under siege, exams deferred in over 200 colleges |work=The Times of India |date=16 November 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pu-under-siege-exams-deferred-in-200-colleges/articleshow/125354390.cms |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="HT-examBoycott">{{cite news |title=PU Bachao Morcha announces boycott of exams starting November 18 |work=Hindustan Times |date=15 November 2025 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/chandigarh-agitators-announce-boycott-of-exams-starting-november-18-at-pu-101763149767892.html |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="TOI-opposition">{{cite news |title=Opposition parties slam Centre’s move on Panjab University Senate |work=The Times of India |date=November 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/opposition-parties-slam-centres-move-on-panjab-university-senate/articleshow/125064000.cms |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="TOI-bjp">{{cite news |title=Oct 28 notification to restructure PU Senate, Syndicate will never be implemented: Punjab BJP |work=The Times of India |date=8 November 2025 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/oct-28-notification-to-restructure-pu-senate-syndicate-will-never-be-implemented-punjab-bjp/articleshow/125171248.cms |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="Quint-gates">{{cite news |title=Panjab University row: thousands break gates to protest against ‘central takeover’ |work=The Quint |date=November 2025 |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/panjab-university-protest-pnjab-chandigarh-centre-farmers-bjp |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="IE-farmers">{{cite news |title=How PU stir mirrors farmer protests |work=The Indian Express |date=November 2025 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/how-pu-stir-mirrors-farmers-protest-10362852/ |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="HT-deadline">{{cite news |title=PU protestors set November 18 deadline for Senate poll schedule |work=Hindustan Times |date=November 2025 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/pu-protestors-set-november-18-deadline-for-senate-poll-schedule-101763000000000.html |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="HT-FIR">{{cite news |title=FIR against unidentified PU protestors for attacking cops, breaching gates |work=Hindustan Times |date=17 November 2025 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/panjab-university-bachao-morcha-november-10-protest-police-book-unidentified-protesters-for-attacking-cops-101763321284964.html |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
<ref name="Print-security">{{cite news |title=Heavy security deployed as Panjab University braces for shutdown protest |work=The Print |date=10 November 2025 |url=https://theprint.in/india/education/centre-revokes-its-order-to-downsize-panjab-university-senate-syndicate-amid-protests/2779590/ |access-date=18 November 2025 }}</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Panjab University]]
[[Category:Student politics in India]]
[[Category:2025 protests]]
[[Category:Education in Chandigarh]]

Panjab university bachao morcha - Revision history

Aakasham: New First Article W/ Infobox - done