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Senator writes to PU against condition on holding protests

CHANDIGARH:Senator Prof Chaman Lal has written to Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar against the condition on transgender students that they cannot participate in “protests or dharnas”, if they want full fee waiver.

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Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, January 22 

Senator Prof Chaman Lal has written to Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Raj Kumar against the condition on transgender students that they cannot participate in “protests or dharnas”, if they want full fee waiver. 

The waiver is offered on tuition as wells as examination fee. 

“Student should not involve in criminal cases, ragging or any other misconduct/violation of university rules. Moreover, they should not be involved in any dharnas or protests,” said one of the guidelines framed for granting fee waiver. 

“In my view, the condition of not participating in “protests and dharnas” is against the human dignity of transgender. Neither it is legally tenable. It is rather insulting to them. Transgender students need encouragement and fee waiver help to gain higher education but binding them to such conditions is like treating them with contempt,” said Prof Chaman Lal in his letter to the VC. 

He said, “Tomorrow, this can become a precedent for other students as well, categorising them in different groups and offering concessions at such cost of buying their conscience and consciousness. As a welfare state, concessions need to be offered to such underprivileged groups of people, but not by compromising their dignity.” 

“At some stage, it can 

percolate to staff and faculty by offering them concessions/promotions by getting such insulting commitments from them,” said Prof Chaman Lal. 

The full fee waiver will be allowed for 2018-19 also and for subsequent years as well. 

The Syndicate will take a final call at its meeting on January 27. A committee comprising Dean University Instruction Prof Shankar Ji Jha, Dean, Students’ Welfare (DSW), Prof Emanuel Nahar, DSW (Women) Prof Neena Caplash, Finance and Development Officer Vikram Nayyar and a transgender student, Dhananjay Chauhan, finalised the guidelines in a meeting on December 19, 2018.

There are five transgender students on PU Campus. 

“The transgender students should not accept the full fee waiver if their right to protest is being taken away from them,” said Panjab University Campus Students’ Council president Kanupriya. 

When contacted, DSW Prof Emanuel Nahar said, “We will look into this condition again.” 


This can become a precedent for other students as well, categorising them in different groups and offering concessions at such cost of buying their conscience and consciousness. As a welfare state, concessions need to be offered to such underprivileged groups of people, but not by compromising their dignity. — Prof Chaman Lal, Senator

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