Harjot Bains Demands Rollback of PU’s ‘Dictatorial’ Admission Affidavit, Citing Threat to Campus Democracy

Chandigarh, July 8, 2025 — Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has lashed out at Panjab University’s new requirement for fresh students to submit an affidavit as part of the 2025–26 admissions process, condemning the move as “dictatorial and arbitrary.”

In a strongly worded letter to Panjab University Vice Chancellor, Bains demanded an immediate review of the policy, questioning its legality, procedural correctness, and implications for democratic life on campus.

Bains, who serves as an ex-officio member of the university’s Senate, expressed doubts over whether the controversial affidavit was drafted and implemented through proper channels like the Senate or Syndicate. “This action appears to have been taken without proper deliberation,” he wrote.

At the heart of the controversy are clauses in the affidavit that reportedly require students to seek prior permission for protests, restrict the locations where demonstrations can be held, and employ ambiguous terms such as “outsider,” “stranger,” and “ugly.” Bains criticized these provisions as vague and potentially harmful to ethical and human dignity standards.

He further slammed rules that allow for the cancellation of admissions and bans from campus without notice or a chance to appeal, arguing they violate principles of natural justice and due legal process.

“Panjab University has a proud legacy as a cradle of leadership and academic excellence. This affidavit threatens to stifle student activism and undermine the university’s democratic ethos by infringing on the fundamental right to freedom of speech under Article 19 of the Constitution,” Bains said.

He urged the Vice Chancellor to immediately reconsider the affidavit and conduct a comprehensive review to ensure any regulations align with constitutional rights and the university’s tradition of open debate and critical inquiry.

Bains concluded by reaffirming his commitment as Higher Education Minister to safeguarding students’ rights and preserving democratic norms within Punjab’s institutions of higher education.