The Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre definitely does not believe much in the “federal structure”, for obvious reasons that it believes that a “weak Centre” leads to a “weak nation”. However, describing every decision of the Central government as an “assault on the federal structure” amounts to taking it too far.
The recent example being that of Panjab University. The Central government last month issued a notification scrapping the Senate elections and reducing its strength with all members to be nominated instead of getting elected. This was strongly resisted by the students, alumni and many political parties. Eventually, the Centre withdrew the decision.
Immediately after the Syndicate was scrapped, a protest dharna was set up on the campus, expectedly named as “Panjab University Bachao Morcha”. It was not just the students who participated in the demonstration, but leaders and workers of various political parties as also the farmers.
The political parties rushed in, understandably not to be seen or viewed as “not supporting the campaign to save Panjab University”. Political rhetoric was at its extreme with most of the political parties in Punjab even saying that this was an “attack on the federal structure of the country”.
Some political leaders even claimed that people of Punjab have a “deep sentimental attachment” with Panjab University and its “character” must not be diluted. Some even warned against playing with fire in a border state.
Political parties are desperately in need of issues. The Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party find it easy to accuse the BJP government at Centre for not only discriminating against Punjab, but also trying to assault its identity by trying to subvert or grab the institutions that are linked with it.
There is no doubt that the very move to scrap the elected Senate of Panjab University and replace it with a nominated body was absolutely uncalled for. Those at the helm of affairs should have been aware that any decision taken in relation to Punjab, does not only have the administrative implications but political as well. Political parties in the state, whether local or national, take no time to exploit the issues and play with the sentiments of the people.
Precisely the same thing happened in Chandigarh on November 10. Those who had strongly opposed the scrapping of the elected Senate have started the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’. Since the Government of India withdrew the notification on November 7, the morcha should have been withdrawn the same day.
Also read: Panjab University: Police use force as senate poll protests swell
However, as always happens with such demonstrations, those sponsoring the ‘morcha’ came out with another demand seeking a time-bound election schedule for the Senate elections. Even that demand was already conceded by the university, as the authorities said they had already submitted a proposal for holding the Panjab University Senate elections to the Vice President of India, who also happens to be the ex-officio Chancellor of the university.
Apparently those who had sponsored and started the ‘Panjab University Bachao Morcha’ had not expected the Government of India to concede their demands and withdraw the notification so soon. Since there are multiple reasons for the organisers to continue with such protests, they were taken aback and decided to continue with the protest.
As “political correctness” is the standard norm under such circumstances, nobody asked the protest organisers what was the point of continuing with the protests as the demands had already been conceded. Instead everyone rushed to the support of the protesters with various rhetorical and conspiracy theories like “assault on federalism and Punjabi identity” and so on.
The political parties should make positive contributions. Being a constructive opposition is welcome, but being disruptive is sad and unfortunate. Why recreate an issue, which has already been resolved? Had it not been for “show of solidarity” by various political parties towards the protesters, there would not have been any need for the police to resort to barricades.
The year-long “farmers’ protest” outside Delhi borders is too fresh in everybody’s memory to allow a similar build up on Panjab University campus. While the students from across the state joining the protest is understandable, what is the point of farmers’ union leaders joining the protest along with their supporters, flags and banners and may be even tractors and trolleys.
Opposition political parties are entitled to hold the BJP in the dock but they must avoid using students and their sacred institutions for this purpose. And when the university administration took the right measures to stop outsiders and ‘non-students’ from storming the campus, it did the right thing.
Neither Punjab nor Chandigarh can afford to turn an entire campus into a protest site like the ‘Delhi-border’, particularly when the issue for which the protests were organised has been already resolved. Act firm and nip the evil in the bud, lest a prestigious institution like Panjab University is thrown into chaos and anarchy. Panjab University is among the top ranking academic institutions of excellence in the country. Don’t put its reputation of excellence at stake by turning it into a perennial protest site.
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