Asks VC about procedure followed in deciding affidavit conditions and whether decision was approved by Senate or Syndicate
Affidavit conditions to stifle student activism and undermine the university's democratic structure, says Higher Education Minister
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Terming Panjab University, Chandigarh's decision of imposing a mandatory affidavit/undertaking for fresh admissions in the 2025-26 session as "dictatorial and arbitrary", Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains shot a letter to the varsity’s Vice Chancellor on Tuesday, seeking clarification on the move.
In his letter, Bains, who is an ex-officio Senate member of the ‘varsity’, asked the Vice Chancellor about the procedure followed in deciding the affidavit conditions and whether the decision was approved by the Senate or Syndicate.
Bains stated that many students expressed grave concerns over Panjab University's condition mandating an affidavit for fresh admissions in the 2025-26 session. They strongly objected to clauses requiring prior permission for protests, restricting it to specific locations only, and undefined terms like "outsider", "stranger", and "ugly" that they deemed unethical and inhumane, he said, while adding that moreover, provisions allowing for admission cancellations, lifelong campus bans without notice or appeal, violate principles of due process and fair procedure embedded in the legal framework.
This issue has sparked widespread discontent and disappointment within the academic community, he added, while stating, "Given Panjab University's legacy as a nursery of leadership and alma mater of esteemed personalities, I fear that this affidavit will stifle student activism and undermine the university's democratic structure by restricting freedom of speech, a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. As the Higher Education Minister and ex-officio Senate member of Panjab University, I seek an immediate reconsideration of this decision and a thorough review of the affidavit's clauses to ensure they align with the constitutional rights of students and uphold the university's tradition of fostering critical thinking and intellectual freedom."