Punjab Higher Education Minister HARJOT Singh Bains has strongly objected to Panjab University, Chandigarh’s decision to mandate an affidavit/undertaking for fresh admissions in the 2025–26 academic session, calling it “dictatorial and arbitrary.” In a letter addressed to the university’s Vice Chancellor on Tuesday, Bains demanded an explanation regarding the process through which the affidavit was introduced and whether it had the approval of the Senate or the Syndicate.
As an ex-officio Senate member, Education Minister HARJOT Bains raised serious concerns over the terms of the affidavit, which many students have criticized. He noted objections to controversial clauses—such as requiring prior permission for protests, limiting them to specific areas, and using ambiguous and problematic terms like “outsider,” “stranger,” and “ugly.” He also condemned provisions that allow for cancellation of admission or lifetime bans from campus without any prior notice or right to appeal, calling them a violation of the principles of natural justice and due process.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਉਚੇਰੀ ਸਿੱਖਿਆ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਹਰਜੋਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬੈਂਸ ਨੇ 2025-26 ਸੈਸ਼ਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਵੇਂ ਦਾਖਲਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਲਾਜ਼ਮੀ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ ਹਲਫ਼ਨਾਮਾ/ਅੰਡਰਟੇਕਿੰਗ ਲੈਣ ਦੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ, ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਫ਼ੈਸਲੇ ਨੂੰ ‘‘ਤਾਨਾਸ਼ਾਹੀ ਅਤੇ ਆਪਹੁਦਰਾ’’ ਕਰਾਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ ਦੇ ਵਾਈਸ ਚਾਂਸਲਰ ਨੂੰ ਪੱਤਰ ਲਿਖ ਕੇ ਇਸ ਬਾਰੇ ਸਪੱਸ਼ਟੀਕਰਨ… pic.twitter.com/wCWIVrDD8i
— Government of Punjab (@PbGovtIndia) July 8, 2025
Education Minister HARJOT Bains emphasized that the move has sparked widespread concern within the academic community. He warned that enforcing such an affidavit could suppress student voices, hinder democratic engagement on campus, and infringe upon the fundamental right to free speech as guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution.
He urged the university to immediately reconsider and thoroughly review the affidavit’s contents, ensuring they align with constitutional safeguards and reflect Panjab University’s legacy as a hub for leadership, intellectual discourse, and democratic values.