‘Victory born out of persistence’ for PU students as university blinks, withdraws affidavit

By Shruti Bedi

After a week of tense protests, locked gates, and sleepless nights outside the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC’s) office, Panjab University (PU) on Tuesday evening withdrew the controversial affidavit that had triggered a seven-day hunger strike and shaken the campus.

The decision came after a day of high drama marked by political visits, stand-offs, and final negotiations between the student council and the administration.

The PU affidavit required students to submit undertakings regarding their conduct and mode of protest at the campus. Students said that the affidavit aims to undermine their right to protest and dissent and first launched a protest in June. On October 29, they began an indefinite protest, demanding a complete withdrawal of the affidavit.

The withdrawal comes ev