On Punjab Day, BJP tries to snatch Panjab University from Punjab: MP Malvinder Singh Kang

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang launched a fierce attack on the BJP-led central government, calling its latest notification on Panjab University a “brazen, unconstitutional and vindictive assault on Punjab’s constitutional, emotional, and historical rights.”

Kang said the Centre’s October 28 notification to restructure the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University is completely illegal and unconstitutional, as the University was created through the Panjab University Act, 1947, passed by the Punjab Legislative Assembly. “A body created by a state’s Act cannot be nullified or altered through a mere notification by a Union ministry,” Kang said. “This is an outrageous violation of the Constitution and a direct attack on federalism.”

He said the BJP has chosen Punjab Day, a day celebrating Punjab’s unity, sacrifice, and identity, to give Punjabis a cruel ‘gift’: the theft of their historic university.

Tracing the University’s origins, Kang said that Panjab University, established in 1882 in Lahore, was shifted to Chandigarh after Partition. Its Senate and Syndicate have been functioning democratically for decades under the 1947 Act. However, the Centre’s new notification abolishes elected constituencies, replaces them with nominated members, and ends Punjab’s representation in the University’s decision-making bodies.

Previously, Punjab had a clear and fair representation: 8 seats for Principals’ Constituency (7 from Punjab, 1 from Chandigarh), 8 seats for Lecturers’ Constituency (7 from Punjab, 1 from Chandigarh), 3 seats for Technical Education Principals (2 from Punjab, 1 from Chandigarh) and 15 Graduate Constituency members, of which 14 were elected from Punjab, Kang himself served as one for eight years.

“All these democratic constituencies have now been demolished,” Kang said. “By eliminating elected representation, the BJP government has clearly declared that Punjab’s voice will no longer be heard in its own university.”

Kang said that the Reorganisation Act concerning Panjab University explicitly states that until a new law is made, the Centre can issue administrative instructions, but cannot tamper with the University’s basic democratic structure.

He added that Haryana had long ago separated itself from Panjab University and established Kurukshetra University, meaning the University’s affiliation today lies predominantly with Punjab (200 colleges) and the UT of Chandigarh.

“Despite this, for the past two years, the Centre deliberately stalled Senate elections, ignoring repeated requests from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who even wrote to the Prime Minister that the Governor of Punjab should be the Chancellor of Panjab University, not the Vice-President of India,” Kang said.

“Just like the Governor serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh, he should naturally be the University’s Chancellor too. But the BJP’s mindset towards Punjab is deeply prejudiced, they want to seize what belongs to Punjab.”

The AAP MP said the BJP’s actions reveal a larger national pattern, to destroy federal education systems, suppress regional languages, and impose central control.

“For 59 years, no Union government representative was ever a member of the University’s governing bodies, only nominees recommended by the Vice Chancellor,” Kang explained.

“But now, the Centre has appointed its own Secretary of Higher Education as a direct member of the Syndicate, even though that person is not even a Senate member. This is a mockery of governance and a deliberate attempt to capture Punjab’s premier educational institution.”

Kang further asked, “If the Centre gives UGC funds to many universities and colleges across India, does that mean it can seize control of all of them? Funding does not mean ownership.”

He called the BJP’s notification a “direct assault on democracy, Punjab’s identity, and the sanctity of its Assembly’s authority.”

“The Senate was a democratically elected house representing every section, teachers, principals, graduates, and legislators. By dissolving it, the BJP has abolished the people’s voice and replaced it with political appointees.”

Kang said this move proves that the BJP harbours a deep-seated animosity toward Punjab, its culture, and its autonomy.

“Punjab has always stood by the nation, our farmers feed the country, our soldiers defend its borders, and our youth power its progress. Yet the BJP is rewarding Punjab with betrayal, by taking away our institutions, rights, and voice,” he said.

Declaring that the AAP and the Punjab Government will never accept or recognise this illegal notification, Kang announced that the party would fight it at every level, legally, politically, and democratically.

He demanded that the Centre immediately withdraw this unconstitutional order and restore the Senate’s democratic structure.

“Today, BJP has insulted Punjab’s heritage on the very day we celebrate our statehood. But let me be clear, Panjab University belongs to Punjab, and no one can snatch it from us. The people of Punjab will resist this with full force,” Kang said.

Kang also questioned Punjab BJP leaders like Sunil Jakhar, Ashwani Sharma, and Ravneet Singh Bittu, asking whether they would stand with Punjab or surrender to Delhi to save their positions. “If they have even an ounce of self-respect or loyalty to Punjab, they must resign and condemn this betrayal,” he said.