The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, has called out the Central government for restructuring the Panjab University's governing bodies (senate, syndicate) through a notification. The chief minister termed the move "unconstitutional" and "dictatorial" on Sunday, adding that the matter will be approached in court by his government.
The Centre has, through a notification dated October 28, restructured the Senate and the Syndicate of Panjab University by amending the Panjab University Act, 1947.
Condemning the decision in a video message, Punjab’s Chief Minister cited, "The BJP-led Centre has issued a 'Nader Shahi farman' (decree of Emperor Nader Shah), which is totally against Punjab and its rights. The notification to dissolve the Panjab University's Senate is totally unconstitutional. Centre does not have the power to amend the Panjab University Act, 1947, through a notification. The amendment must be done either by the Vidhan Sabha or Parliament, and in this case, none of it happened.”
He blamed the central government of having made such similar attempts in order to take control of the univeristy. Recalling such an incident, the CM said, around two years ago, he opposed a proposal to affiliate Haryana colleges with Panjab University, citing that the Chandigarh-based varsity has always been connected to Punjab's heritage and legacy.
"Haryana's demand was that Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Ambala colleges be affiliated to Panjab University. I flatly refused. Through affiliation of these colleges, they wanted their senate members to gain entry into the Panjab University's senate," he said.
"But now, they have found another way. On Punjab's Formation Day, the BJP presented a gift to Punjabis," he said.
The notification showed "the BJP's anti-Punjab face", said the chief minister, further alleging, "I have been saying that they are anti-Punjab. They don't skip a single chance to take action against the state. They harbour a hatred towards Punjab in their hearts.”
Mann recalled that the Panjab University, which was originally established in Lahore in 1882, later shifted to Hoshiarpur and then to Chandigarh, the current capital of Punjab and neighbouring state Haryana. Not only ruling AAP but political leaders from the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal have also hit out at the Central government over the move.
"If we have to move the high court or the Supreme Court, we will do that. We are consulting legal experts. We will raise our voice against this injustice. We will not let go of Punjab's rights," Mann said.
The chief minister said that recently, the state government released funds to set up a girls' hostel in the university.
"It is the Punjab government when it comes to funds. But they (the Centre) are saying charges should be paid to them for running its affairs. How is this possible?" he asked.
Follow us
