From Assertion March to Victory March: Punjab Varsity Bows to Student Protests

NEW DELHI: After a heated debate for three hours, the Punjab University senate — its apex decision-making body — in a historic decision allowed to end nocturnal curbs on the movement of girl students in the hostels of Punjab University, in effect accepting their demand of lifting the curfew hours.

On October 29, women hostellers in Punjab University began protesting against hostel curfew timings for girls. They were led by the Students for Society (SFS), All India Students’ Association (AISA), and the Punjab Students’ Union (Lalkar). Their main demand was that the girls’ hostel gates should remain open round the clock.

Kanupriya, the PUCSC President, along with her party SFS, AISA and Lalkaar had been sitting on a protest over this demand, besides others, for the past 48 days.

The senate formed a committee under the chairmanship of senator Navdeep Goyal with office bearers of Punjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) as members to look into the issue related to 24x7 entry for girls’ hostels. There will be no distinction in the hostel rules for boys and girls since the protest was meant to end gender discrimination. The practice of fine for late entry for girls was also abolished.

In the meeting, senator Varinder Gill initiated the discussion saying it had been 48 days since students had been protesting, so, the senate should take a call. Senator DPS Randhawa questioned with the level of sensitivity with which the Vice-Chancellor Professor Raj Kumar and Dean Of Student Welfare (DSW) Emanuel Nahar were deliberating with the students.

When the VC, who was chairing the meeting, said the matter was sub judice, senator Ajay Ranga said the governing body could take a decision even if the matter was in court. A public interest litigation (PIL) was recently filed in the Punjab and Haryana high court against any relaxation in hostel timings.

DSW Emanual Nahar told the senate that the timings were recently relaxed following the students’ demand and there were already no restrictions on research scholars and on students visiting the library. He also said that of 1,500 parents surveyed by the varsity, around 97% were not in favour of 24/7 hostel timings. “Most of the PUCSC members are also not in its favour,” he said.

“We should take the opinion of all stakeholders,” said senator Subhash Sharma, adding that there was a need to see whether only one group of students was pressing the demand.

To this, senators Ajay Ranga and DPS Randhawa said Sharma was trying to “divide and rule” to delay the demand. As Sharma cited the DSW’s submission that the student council is divided on the issue, Ranga said: “Kanupriya is the elected president. How can you ignore an elected president?”

Questioning the logic behind fine for late entry, Ranga said: “Does a student become safe after paying you ₹100?”

Senator Surinder Kaur said: “Anyone who wishes to indulge in wrongdoings can do it in daytime too. There should be no restrictions during night.”

Senator Chaman Lal said the Indian Constitution does not discriminate in the name of gender. Senator RP Bambah said all students are adults and if they tell the varsity that they don’t want any interference, their wish should be granted.

“Freedom has to be for both boys and girls,” said senator Pam Rajput. “Safety is the varsity and UT administration’s responsibility. There should be safety audit of PU twice a year.”

The students late on Saturday also held a victory march on the campus following the announcement. SFS Campus leader Hasan Preet while addressing the students said, “The struggle which began in 2015 has been won. The fine has been quashed and there will only be one mobility register now. You can leave anytime of the night now without any moral policing. The cage has been broken.”

Following the announcement, hundreds of students were seen sloganeering, cheering and chanting “Toota Pinjara, Aazaadi Mubarak”(The cage has been broken, Happy Indepence). The SFS released a statement, “We thank all the Senators who stood against the autocratic and undemocratic Vice Chancellor of our university.”

Kanupriya, PUCSC President said, “I am very happy. PU has now established itself as an example to follow for other institutes where students are demanding gender equality.”