CHANDIGARH, Aug 9 — With Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC) elections for the 2025–26 session expected in the first week of September, Chandigarh Police have identified 106 individuals — including the sitting council president and leaders from multiple student outfits — as potential disruptors.
The list marks a sharp increase from 79 names last year. Police said 26 individuals are either outsiders or have FIRs registered against them. Leaders of all major student parties, particularly those involved in past incidents of campus violence, are included.
Topping the list is current PUCSC president Anurag Dalal, who won last year as an NSUI rebel with a margin of 3,433 votes. Others include former vice-president Archit Garg, INSO secretary Veenit Yadav, and former joint secretary Jasveender Rana. The list features 13 members from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), seven from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), 10 from Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), and members from USO, SATH PU, PUSU, SOPU, SOI, and INSO.
Former vice-president Garg said the heightened police presence could backfire. “Last year, there was hardly any fighting on campus, and elections were peaceful. This year, police are everywhere even a month before polls. Just yesterday, 60–70 cops raided Hostel Number 3. When authorities try to suppress more, chances of conflict may increase,” he said.
Bhupinder Singh, former president of Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), called the exercise routine. “Some prominent faces are summoned to submit an undertaking, but it’s a mere eyewash. Two years ago, when our presidential candidate was beaten up before elections, no action was taken against the perpetrators,” he said.
Campus violence has spiked ahead of polls in recent years. In 2023, a research scholar formerly with ABVP was beaten with rods by another party leader and several others. In July 2024, a clash between HSA and ABVP members erupted during the Punjab chief minister’s visit to the Law Auditorium. Around 70–80 students and outsiders allegedly caused a ruckus. Later that year, students from SOI and Sath PU unlawfully protested outside the vice-chancellor’s office over senate elections, leading to an FIR on November 13.
This year has already seen another fight involving ABVP members, resulting in two FIRs at Police Station 11. Police say outsiders brought in during elections often bring liquor, sticks, and other weapons onto campus.
“As per procedure, each person named will be summoned to fill out a ₹10,000 bond with the SDM, promising to maintain peace for a year. If they engage in violence, they could face arrest,” a senior officer said. The SDM will take preventive action under Section 126/170 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, warning students against any activity that could spark clashes on campus or in affiliated colleges.
