In a major overhaul, the Central Government has dissolved the 59-year-old Senate and Syndicate of Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, approving a complete restructuring of the institution’s top governing bodies. The move officially ends the Syndicate’s elected status, converting it into a fully nominated entity. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education, the reforms — enacted under the Panjab University Act, 1947 (East Punjab Act 7 of 1947) — abolish the Graduate Constituency and reduce the Senate’s strength from 90 to 31 members. The new Senate will now comprise 18 elected, 6 nominated, and 7 ex-officio members. As part of the changes, the Chandigarh MP, UT Chief Secretary, and Education Secretary have been added as ex-officio members, along with senior officials from the Punjab government. Under the revised Section 13 of the Act, the category of Ordinary Fellows has been redefined, limiting their number to 24. These will include: Two eminent PU alumni nominated by the Chancellor Two professors (one each from Arts and Science) elected by the university faculty Two associate/assistant professors elected similarly Four principals of affiliated colleges Six teachers from affiliated institutions Two Punjab MLAs (with university degrees) nominated by the Speaker The restructured governing body will now include high-powered members such as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court, Punjab Education Minister, UT Chief Secretary, Punjab Higher Education Secretary, UT Education Secretary, and the Chandigarh MP. Meanwhile, the move has drawn sharp political criticism. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the dissolution, terming it “an insult to the federal structure of the country.” In a statement shared on social media, Badal said, “I strongly condemn the Central Government’s decision to dissolve the Senate of Panjab University and end Punjab’s representation in it. This is an insult to the federal structure of the country and an attack on Punjab’s educational and intellectual framework. That too, on Punjab Day — a day that exists because thousands of Punjabis made sacrifices for its creation.” He further added that the ordinance was “unilateral and unconstitutional,” urging the Centre to withdraw it immediately. “By excluding Punjab from its own prestigious legacy, the Central Government has inflicted yet another deep wound on Punjab,” he said, calling upon intellectuals and scholars to unite and oppose the move.