CHANDIGARH, Nov 26— Protests demanding notification of Panjab University’s Senate elections opened quietly on Wednesday, with only a limited crowd gathering outside the Vice Chancellor’s office despite a bandh call by the PU Bachao Morcha.
Security personnel and reserve forces ringed the area through the day, but the turnout lagged as many groups moved toward the large farmers’ congregation at Dussehra Ground in Sector 43. “Most of our supporters are first heading there. Farmer leaders will join us here later in the afternoon,” one demonstrator said.
Organisers maintained that union representatives from Punjab would address both gatherings. Several leaders had already reached Sector 43 by noon, where preparations for their public meeting were underway.
The bandh call — backed by more than 50 student, farmer, employee and social organisations — mirrors the November 10 shutdown that saw tense scenes on campus. The university, anticipating crowds, announced a holiday and closed all departments for the day.
Police guarded the administration block while campus markets and shops stayed shuttered, leaving the usually busy university lanes largely deserted.
