MP Meet Hayer writes to Panjab University Chancellor & Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
Terms dictatorial order in complete contravention of fundamental rights
Seeking an affidavit from students amounts to stifling right to peaceful protest
Such an arbitrary order severely dents Panjab University’s glorious traditions
Chandigarh, June 26:
However, since past sometime, the arbitrary decisions undertaken by the Union Government with regard to the Panjab University have attempted to grossly undermine the immensely rich reputation of this great hub of academics, said the Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in a communication to the Chancellor and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar.
Citing the recent example, Meet Hayer said that the recently promulgated order demanding a written affidavit from the students about not staging protests and demonstrations in the Panjab University not just constitutes robbing them of their fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution but is also in complete contravention of the spirit of democracy and free speech.
This decision of the dictatorial nature would in no case be accepted as in our constitution, the right to protest stands enshrined as elemental right which has come under attack by this capricious order. The recent decisions taken in the Panjab University which were completely inimical to the student community were only rolled back after protests by the students, said the MP adding that now, the students have been robbed of this basic right of theirs.
While on one hand the election of the Panjab University Council serves as the first lesson in democratic values to the students, the present decision is in total contradiction of this rich tradition. The Panjab University has given top notch names in the political sphere to the country but alas, the present decision would severely dent this glorious convention.
“Your goodself is the Chancellor of this august institution. Hence, it is my sincere appeal to you to kindly take personal interest in the matter in order to get this whimsical decision rolled back”, added Meet Hayer.
