Talks with Punjabi University students remain inconclusive

Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 11

City Member of Parliament Dharamvira Gandhi today met protesting students at Punjabi University. Supporting gender parity, he said girls should be treated equally with boys. Meanwhile, talks between the university authorities and the Sanjha Vidyarthi Morcha regarding the opening of the girls’ hostels round the clock remained inconclusive. 

Gandhi reached the university in the evening. Speaking to The Tribune, the MP said, “The academic facilities, including the access to labs, should be provided to all, irrespective of gender. Girls are equal to boys in every respect. On the question of hostel timings, gender parity must be maintained. If boys’ hostels are open till 10 pm, then let the girls’ hostels as well.” 

The MP, however, said opening the girls’ hostels round the clock was not presently possible. “It is not possible because of the feudal outlook of society,” he said. The MP said he met Vice-Chancellor (VC) BS Ghuman and urged him to look into demands of the students and diffuse tension on the university campus. Meanwhile, though the talks between the university authorities and student representatives remained inconclusive, officials welcomed the students to talk and sort out the matter. Jaspreet, a representative of the Democratic Students’ Organisation (DSO), said, “We will continue our strike till the issue is not resolved.”

Responding on the issue, Manjit Singh Nijjar, Registrar, Punjabi University, said, “We held a meeting with  students belonging to the DSO, but it remained inconclusive. We still urge students to come forward and have a word with us to reach a decision. He said the university did not offer further extension in hostel timings.