Using FIR quashing as ‘bait’, PU manages to hold back protesters

Even as the Panjab University authorities have not yet conceded to the demand of conducting Senate elections immediately, the authorities managed to refrain the student protesters from burning the effigies of Chancellor and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig today by assuring in writing that they would initiate the process of quashing the FIR registered against 14 students of the university for allegedly trying to disrupt the address of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on November 13.

‘Focus on FIR quashing, not Senate poll’

After the students agreed to refrain from burning effigies of the PM, Chancellor and VC, some student leaders on the campus said that instead of stressing on getting Senate elections conducted, the focus has shifted to getting FIRs quashed. It is important to mention that in the recent protests by the students, during which the students got into confrontation with the police twice, the Senate members have avoided joining them. Besides, the Fellows have turned up at the protest site only during the visit of political leaders.

The written assurance also mentions that if the protest remains peaceful, they will also initiate the process to withdraw the court case filed against six student organisations, in which they had sought a permanent ban on holding of protests in 500m radius of the VC’s office.

According to university officials, chief of university security Vikram Singh will submit a report to the Dean Student Welfare (DSW) Amit Chauhan regarding the peaceful conduct of protesters today, which will be submitted to the Registrar on Wednesday. “We will formally convey that the students did not indulge in effigy burning. Further process will be initiated by the Registrar,” the DSW said.

Commenting on the development, VC Vig said the university would now do its part on getting the FIRs quashed as the protesters obeyed the condition put forward. The letter also mentions that in case of any violation, strict legal/disciplinary action shall be initiated against the protesters.

The ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ protesters had blocked Gate No. 2 of the campus on November 26, demanding elections to Senate and quashing of the FIR. They had vacated the area after Dean Student Welfare Prof Amit Chauhan forwarded their demands to Registrar YP Verma. It is important to note that the FIR mentions chief of University Security Vikram Singh as the complainant.