CHANDIGARH, July 9 — Punjab higher education minister Harjot Singh Bains has written to Panjab University (PU) vice-chancellor, demanding an explanation over the university’s newly imposed mandatory affidavit requirement for students seeking admission in the 2025–26 academic session.
Calling the move “dictatorial and arbitrary,” Bains, who also serves as an ex-officio member of the university senate, raised concerns about the decision-making process and whether due approvals were obtained from the university’s governing bodies.
“Many students have reached out with serious concerns about the affidavit conditions,” Bains wrote. “They strongly object to clauses that require prior permission for protests, restrict demonstrations to specific zones, and include vague and objectionable terms like ‘outsider’, ‘stranger’, and ‘ugly’—terms they feel are unethical and inhumane.”
He further noted that the affidavit reportedly includes provisions that permit cancellation of admission and permanent bans from campus without notice or the right to appeal, raising questions over legality and procedural fairness. “Such provisions violate the basic principles of natural justice and due process as enshrined in the Indian legal system,” Bains stated.
The minister sought clarification from the vice-chancellor on whether the university syndicate or senate had deliberated and approved the affidavit, and called for an immediate reconsideration of the move.
“As higher education minister and a member of the senate, I urge a thorough review of the affidavit’s contents to ensure they uphold constitutional values, protect students’ rights, and preserve the university’s legacy as a space for critical thought and academic freedom,” he added.
The university has yet to issue an official response. The controversy comes amid growing national debate over the boundaries of student activism and institutional discipline on campuses.
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