Former minister Kang, farm body members meet protesters at PU
As the matter of delay in elections to the Panjab University’s governing body, the Senate, is receiving attention from mainstream political leaders, the protest site was today visited by former Punjab Cabinet Minister Jagmohan Kang and by members of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari). The students, under the banner of Panjab University Bachao Morcha, completed 20 days of protest today.
“It is unwarranted, sad and regrettable that this university, which has a glorious history, is under attack by the BJP-led Central Government and some top officials related to PU. Under some conspiracy, they want to abolish the democratically-elected Senate of the PU,” Kang said while interacting with mediapersons at the protest site. “I remained the Senate member of the university from 1976-80 and 1984-88 and member of the Syndicate from 1987-88. The structure is a well-crafted democratic setup and elections to it should be ensured as early as possible,” he added.
Extending support to the protest, BKU (Krantikari) general secretary Balwinder Kaur said that both Central and the Punjab Governments are accountable for the issue and should resolve it immediately. “Emotions of people are attached to this institution and if elections are not held early, the protest will take a bigger form,” she said. Apart from the students, Fellows Inderpal Singh Sidhu, Shaminder Singh Sandhu, Varinder Singh Gill and Ravinder Singh were also present at the protest.
‘CM silent despite requests’
The protesters, including Senators, targeted the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, alleging that CM Bhagwant Mann’s silence was proving that they are hand-in-glove with the Centre to dilute the democratic structure of PU. “We have written multiple letters to the CM requesting his interference, but he has not said a word on the delay in elections to Senate,” a Fellow said.
