Bhagwant Mann slams Centre’s ‘dictatorial’ move to restructure Panjab University, vows legal action

Chandigarh: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Sunday slammed the central government for restructuring the Panjab University's governing bodies through a notification, calling the move "unconstitutional" and "dictatorial".

Mann said the state government will approach the courts in the matter. The Centre has, through a notification dated October 28, restructured the Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University by amending the Panjab University Act, 1947.

In a video message, Mann said, "The BJP-led Centre has issued a 'Nader Shahi farman' (royal decree), which is totally against Punjab and its rights. The notification to dissolve the Panjab University's Senate is totally unconstitutional."


The chief minister said the Centre does not have power to amend the Panjab University Act, 1947, through a notification. The amendment must be done either by the Vidhan Sabha or Parliament, and in this case none of it happened, he said.