Punjab: Students of the Patiala-based Rajiv Gandhi National Law University (RGNUL) have been protesting since Sunday evening demanding the resignation of Vice Chancellor Professor Jai Shankar Singh. The unrest started after the Vice Chancellor allegedly entered the girls’ hostel without any prior notice, leading to widespread outrage among the students. The students have demanded the removal of the Vice Chancellor and a thorough investigation into the incident. For the past three days, the students have been staging a sit-in on the campus and are refusing to calm down until their demands are met. They have also claimed that some of them and their families have received calls from influential persons, who are pressuring them to end the protest. They also alleged that some faculty members are siding with the university authorities in an attempt to suppress dissent.
In response to the growing discontent, Punjab Women Commission chairperson Raj Lali Gill visited the campus along with Patiala SSP Nanak Singh. She assured the students that a proper inquiry will be conducted with a committee including student representatives, faculty members and university officials to ensure a fair investigation. The protesting students are receiving support from leaders of various political parties. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi called the vice chancellor’s actions “extremely shameful”, while Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains sought a report on the protest, assuring justice to the students.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the vice chancellor for ignoring the constitutional rights of students and demanded his resignation till the investigation is completed. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including former Union minister Preneet Kaur and BJP Punjab Mahila Morcha president Jai Inder Kaur, also expressed strong support to the students. Students’ Union of India (SUI) leaders Karan Singh Parmar and Abhay Singh Sandhu have submitted a memorandum to the Punjab governor, demanding immediate intervention. Patiala MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, who is currently abroad, has also demanded the formation of a commission to investigate the matter.
