Workers at Punjabi University stage a dharna to call for VC Arvind’s extension

Workers at Punjabi University in this area have been demonstrating and calling for an extension of the vice chancellor’s tenure, Prof. Arvind, which ends today.

The majority of those demonstrating were university employees who were not instructors. With banners in hand, the protesting staff members sat in front of the university gate and sought an extension for the VC, claiming that he had played a crucial role in helping the institution escape its financial difficulties. The striking workers claimed that Prof. Arvind’s efforts were the reason they were now being paid on schedule.

Gurpreet Singh, the secretary of Punjabi University Karamchari Sangh (B & C Non-Teaching), said that the institution was experiencing a severe financial difficulty. Prior to him, VCs had to manage the university by closing FDs before they matured and selling university land. “Prof Arvind has played a pivotal role in reorienting the university.” Our funding and wages have begun to arrive on schedule. We urge that the VC be granted an extension since the government has been provided false information on him, Gurpreet added.

Most venture capitalists have extensions. Prior to this, Dr. Jaspal Singh held office for three terms, and Sarwan Singh Boparai, who was appointed in 2002, had served two terms. The offer of an extension was also extended to Dr. BS Ghuman, who was appointed as VC in 2017. However, Ghuman stated his unwillingness to proceed, and Prof. Arvid was selected as the next VC.

Rajinder Singh Bagria, the president of Punjabi University Karamchari Sangh, chose to distance himself from the demonstration, arguing that certain university staff members were organizing it and the union was not involved.

In addition to his current responsibilities, Governor Banwarilal Purohit assigned Secretary of Higher Education Kamal Kishore Yadav the responsibility of VC for a period of three months starting on April 26 as the state government was still unsure whether to prolong Prof. Arvind’s term.

Prof. Arvind, a former dean of research and development at the Indian Institute of Science and Research, Mohali, was named the university’s vice chancellor in April 2021 and served in that capacity for three years. The Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA), with whom he had tense ties, even filed a high court challenge to his appointment.

Concurrently, Navjot Kaur submitted her resignation from her position as registrar.