The students were seen raising slogans and climbing over barricades whiles protesting, after which the police baton-charged to disperse them, as per news agency PTI.
Clashes between the students and security personnel were also reported.
Earlier in the morning of Monday, November 10, security across Panjab University (PU) was tightened as student groups staged a large-scale protest demanding the conduct of senate polls.
#WATCH | Chandigarh | Students of Panjab University hold a massive protest over their demand for senate elections. pic.twitter.com/QcIrx86RAQ
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025
Heavy police presence, barricading, and restricted campus access marked the day as authorities prepared for potential unrest.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kanwardeep Kaur inspected security arrangements at key entry points of the university.
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The protest stems from widespread backlash to a now-withdrawn Education Ministry’s notification on senate restructuring, originally issued on October 28 and revoked recently last week.
#WATCH | Chandigarh: Police deployed around the Panjab University campus. SSP Chandigarh Kanwardeep Kaur checked the security arrangements.
Students of Panjab University have called a massive protest on the campus today, over their demand for senate elections. pic.twitter.com/ONBSExyxsW— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025
A significant police contingent was deployed at all university gates, with barricades installed to regulate movement. Campus access was restricted strictly to those carrying valid identity cards.
A second-year anthropology student, Harmanpreet Kaur, voiced her frustration while being stopped at one of the gates.
“I am a second-year student in the anthropology department. They are not letting us enter because of the protest. The hostelers should be allowed to enter. I am showing the ID card too. They are asking me to go through gate no. 1, but there must be police there too,” she told ANI.
#WATCH | Chandigarh | Security heightened at all gates of Punjab University as the students call for a massive protest on the campus today, over their demand for senate elections.
A student, Harmanpreet Kaur, says, “I am a second-year student in the anthropology department.… https://t.co/agA3srQfLH pic.twitter.com/s1x4DMIDKV— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025
Holiday declared, students unfazedÂ
Amid escalating tensions, the university declared a holiday on Monday and Tuesday (November 10 and 11), while also barring vehicle entry without official stickers and ID cards to curb the movement of outsiders.
Despite the announcement, student organisations refused to withdraw the protest organised under the banner of Panjab University Bachao Morcha, stating that agitation would continue until senate elections are formally held, as per the Hindustan Times.
PU Vice-Chancellor Renu Vig and Registrar YP Verma, appealed for calm, urging student groups to reconsider their agitation, citing that the senate election process has been initiated and the detailed schedule sent to the Chancellor, the Vice-President of India.
PU has begun the Senate election process.
The draft election schedule, following the previous pattern, has been submitted to the Hon’ble Chancellor and Vice-President of India for approval.1/3#PanjabUniversity #PUChandigarh #Chandigarh #SenateElections pic.twitter.com/kiVycycKhf
— Panjab University, Chandigarh (@OfficialPU) November 9, 2025
However, student representatives said they no longer trusted verbal assistance.
Politicians, farmers support students
Several political leaders, including Patiala MP Dharamvir Gandhi, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, former Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal, and Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh, expressed support for the students.
Farmer unions and gurudwara groups from Punjab have also intended to join the protests, as per HT.
#WATCH | Chandigarh: Students of Panjab University have called a massive protest on the campus today, over their demand for senate elections. Police personnel are deployed at all gates of the University. Entry is being allowed only with an ID card. pic.twitter.com/yCNqKNcNH1
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2025
