Vice President C P Radhakrishnan has approved the schedule for Panjab University's senate elections, set for September to October 2026. This decision ends a month-long student protest demanding the polls, which had not been held for over a year. Students celebrated the announcement as a victory for their struggle.
On November 27, 2025, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, serving as chancellor of Panjab University, approved the proposed schedule for the university's senate elections. The communication from the Vice President's secretariat went to Vice Chancellor Renu Vig, who had requested the approval. The elections are slated to occur between September 7 and October 4, 2026.
The approval came after nearly a month of intense student protests on the Chandigarh campus, where demonstrators from the PU Bachao Morcha demanded the announcement of the poll schedule. The senate elections had been pending for more than a year, sparking widespread agitation. Vig visited the protest site and urged students to end their strike, as their main demand was fulfilled.
Avtar Singh, a leader of the PU Bachao Morcha, confirmed that the vice chancellor shared the official communication. "We will end the dharna on Friday after holding a victory march in the PU," Singh stated.
Detailed timeline includes elections for principals and staff on September 7, 2026; professors and associate professors on September 14; heads and faculty of arts colleges alongside the registered graduate constituency on September 20; and faculty elections on October 4.
The protests initially opposed the central government's October 28 notification to restructure the university's governing bodies, the senate and syndicate. Facing pressure, the Ministry of Education withdrew the notification on November 7, 2025. Students persisted until the election schedule was confirmed.
Political support poured in from Punjab parties like the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal, and Congress, along with farmers' and religious groups. Congress MLA Pargat Singh called it a "victory for the students and the people of Punjab." Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu assured on X that the BJP and central government prioritize Punjab's rights. AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang congratulated the resilient participants, noting that Punjab's resistance triumphed over attempts to undermine autonomy. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring described it as a resounding win forcing the government to back down. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal praised the unity in the peaceful democratic struggle, restoring democracy in Punjab.
Celebrations erupted on campus, with videos showing members of the PU Bachao Morcha rejoicing over the chancellor's decision.