Focus On Education Cannot Be Compromised Over Political Aspirations: High Court On Panjab University Students' Protest
The Punjab & Haryana High Court, while hearing a plea seeking direction to conduct elections for the Senate of Panjab University, a matter currently subject to student protests, underscored that the "prime focus of all students should remain the acquisition of knowledge. Academic activities cannot be compromised or sacrificed at the altar of electoral or political aspirations."As per...
The Punjab & Haryana High Court, while hearing a plea seeking direction to conduct elections for the Senate of Panjab University, a matter currently subject to student protests, underscored that the "prime focus of all students should remain the acquisition of knowledge. Academic activities cannot be compromised or sacrificed at the altar of electoral or political aspirations."
As per the Panjab University Act, 1947, the Senate is vested with the management and superintendence of all affairs, concerns and property of the University.
Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry were hearing the plea filed in the year 2024, raising a grievance regarding the non-holding of elections to the Senate of Panjab University as mandated u/s 11 of the Panjab University Act, 1947.
During the pendency of the petition, the Court noted that certain developments have taken place On 28.10.2025, widespread amendments restructuring the Senate were introduced in the Act of 1947.
However, these amendments were withdrawn on 04.11.2025. Incidentally, on the very same day i.e. 04.11.2025, the Central Government issued further notifications reserving the right to notify the constitution of the Senate at a Subsequent date. These notifications were modified and reiterated on the same day. Ultimately, on 07.11.2025, these notifications were also rescinded.
In view of these recent developments in the first and second week of November 2025, Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, appearing for the Chancellor, informed the Court that the process for holding the Senate elections shall be commenced as expeditiously as possible.
During the hearing, Panjab University informed that due to the non-holding of Senate elections, certain agitations are taking place in the University, resulting in disruptions to its academic activities, which constitute the primary function of the University.
At this juncture, the Court said that it "reminds the students that their admission to the University by their parents is fundamentally for the purpose of receiving education and thus the prime focus of all students should remain acquisition of knowledge. Academic activities cannot be compromised or sacrificed at the altar of electoral or political aspirations,"
Stating that with the hope and expectation that elections to the Senate will be conducted as expeditiously as possible, the Court disposed of the plea.
Mr. R. Kartikeya, Advocate,Ms. R. Akanksha, Advocate, Ms. Sidhi Bansal, Advocate, Mr. Kartik Patial, Advocate and Ms. Ridhi Bansal, Advocate for the petitioner.
Mr. Satya Pal Jain, Addl. Solicitor General of India with Ms. Neha Sharma, Senior Panel Counsel (through V.C) for respondent no. 1/UOI.
Mr. Akshay Kumar Goel, Advocate for the respondent no.1/Panjab University.
Mr. Saurav Verma, Addl. Advocate General, Punjab.
Title: Harpreet Singh Dua and another v. Panjab University and others.