Chandigarh,11 May:The chain fast observed by the teachers and students of Panjab University for the central university status for P.U. has entered 35th day and there are no signs of its let up. Since there has been no categorical response from the Punjab Government and Union Government as yet the teachers have pledged to intensify the agitation and carry it through the summer vacations as well. During the entire one and half month stretch of vacations teachers have expressed their willingness to sit on chain fast foregoing their all programmes during the vacations.
Meanwhile the campaign for observing Sadhbuddhi Diwas on 13th May at the site of Chain Fast has begun. Besides teachers and students, alumni and other concerned citizens of the town are expected to participate in it. Prayers would be recited so that better sense prevails among the functionaries of Punjab and Union government. The members of JAC have stepped up their efforts to convince political leadership of the region and a team of delegates has already sought appointment with MHRD minister at New Delhi.
Speaking from the site of chain fast Prof. V.K. Chopra, Department of Evening Studies, reiterated that Panjab University in terms of its accomplishment and profile deserves the status of central university and in case this University is not bailed out from the present financial crisis the blame squarely be on the political leadership of the region. Prof. A.S. Ahluwalia, Chairman, JAC feared that if the proposed central universities in Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh come up near Chandigarh there would be mass exodus of talented faculty and students from this age old University and the worst sufferer of this tragedy would be the state of Punjab. Why Punjab Government is feeling shy of communicating to the Union Government to let it be fully funded by the MHRD, is beyond the comprehension of any one on the campus, exhorted Prof. Manjit Singh, Coordinator, JAC.
Among those who sat on the chain fast were Prof. V.K Chopra, Dr Sudhir Kumar and Dr G.C. Chauhan, all the three teachers from the Department of Evening Studies, while Ms Rajani Sahota, and Ms Ekta Sachdeva both research scholars from the department of History also joined them.