Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan demanding an extension of the term of the Panjab University (PU) Senate and declaring a clear timetable for its elections. Harsimrat said she informed the minister about the ongoing agitation in the university and demanded that Senate elections be held. The body’s mandate ended on October 31 of this year.

Regarding the delay in holding the elections, she said it was aimed at reducing Punjab’s share in the university administration. She said the Senate was the governing body of UP administration since 1904 and it should remain so. She said 201 colleges in Punjab were affiliated to the university.

“Senate elections are delayed and attempts are underway to centralize the university under the new 2020 education policy, thereby threatening its autonomy and heritage,” she said.

The MP also informed Pradhan that all political parties in Punjab had opposed the move as it would undermine democratic representation and the voice of the state in the administration of the university.