Face2News/Chandigarh
The OBC Reservation Implementation Forum (OBCRIF) led a forceful and highly charged protest at Panjab University today, demanding immediate implementation of the constitutionally mandated 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in both admissions and faculty recruitment. The protest marks a decisive escalation in OBCRIF’s sustained campaign to end what they termed as the university’s blatant defiance of constitutional norms.
The protest drew widespread support from a broad coalition of political student organizations, civil society leaders, and community representatives. Student wings of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) stood in solidarity with OBCRIF, with NSUI leaders Jatinder Virk, PUCSC Vice President Archit Garg, and Manjot Singh (UIET) extending full support and announcing further action under the leadership of NSUI National President Varun Chaudhary.
Prominent voices at the protest, including Gurdeep Singh (ASF), Sandeep Kumar (SFS), S. Shinderpal Singh (Punjab National Party), S. Gurmail Singh (CTO, PGI), Sunil Parkhi (Payback to Society, Derabassi), Sh. Arun Kumar (OBC Welfare Association, Chandigarh), strongly condemned the deliberate and systematic denial of OBC reservation by Panjab University’s leadership since 2008. They accused successive Vice Chancellors—including Prof. R.C. Sobti, Prof. Arun Grover, Prof. Raj Kumar, and the current VC Prof. Renu Vig—along with former Registrars, of perpetuating an institutional conspiracy against the OBC community.
The protest also saw support from leaders such as Vijay Pal Yadav (AAP Chandigarh President), L.R. Budania (Rajasthan Citizen Association), Gujjar Samaj leaders Narinder Meelu Ji (General Secretary, Gujjar Bhawan, Chandigarh) and Maamchand Chhokker Ji (Former Presinder Gujjar Bhawan, Panchkula) and Rohtas Swami (General Secretary, Bairagi Samaj) along with Balwinder Singh Multani and Gurmail Singh (from the OBC Federation) who issued a united statement demanding immediate corrective action by the university administration.
Dr. Kulwinder Singh, Dr. Sudhir Mehra and Dr. Vinod Kumar faculty members at Panjab University, joined the protest and emphasized that continued denial of reservation is a violation of constitutional guarantees and social justice. They condemned the administration’s shameful act of denying entry to OBC protestors at the university gates, calling it a murder of democracy and a casteist assault on the principles of the Indian Constitution.
Narinder Meelu ji said that he will hold meetings of all OBC sub communities at Gujjar Bhawan to come together for pressing PU authorities. He will also hold meetings in villages nearby and invite all Gujjars to get their due rights in PU. He said that now the issue of OBC reservation is in the minds of OBC Smaj and it will be achieved soon with unity and with deep faith in Indian Constitution.
S. Balwinder Singh Multani, President of OBCRIF, declared, “We will no longer allow the exclusion of OBCs from their rightful place in Panjab University. If the gates are closed to OBCs, we will now shut down the gates of Panjab University in protest.”
Sunil Parkhi warned of an intensifying movement, stating, “If our constitutional rights are not respected, the PU authorities must prepare for the largest agitation this campus has ever seen.”
Vijay Pal Yadav reaffirmed AAP’s support for OBCRIF’s demands and assured full participation in future calls for action if the administration continues its rigid and unjustified stance.
Gurmail Singh highlighted the legal and constitutional status of OBCs under the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) framework as per Article 342(A), demanding that a uniform SEBC certification system be adopted across states and UTs. However, the constitutional bench of Supreme Court in the para 176 lists of BC and OBC Categories in the states and union territories shall be considered as SEBCs until the comprehensive list of SEBCs is not published under the union and state.
Gurdeep Singh (ASF) exposed how PU authorities have historically excluded not just OBCs, but also SCs and STs from key governing bodies like the Senate and Syndicate, and have consistently prepared illegal recruitment rosters. He called for criminal proceedings against university officials for these continued violations.
Dr. Sudhir Mehra asserted that the Vice Chancellor’s tenure would not remain unchallenged if justice continues to be denied. He urged the VC to act promptly and constitutionally, instead of escalating the crisis through arrogance and exclusion.
Dr. Kulwinder Singh debunked the excuse of financial grants blocking implementation, clarifying that the Rs. 1466 crore grant reference is outdated and irrelevant, and that OBC reservations in both admissions and recruitment must be implemented without further delay.
L.R. Budania, Secretary, OBCRIF, concluded, “The OBC community is asserting its rights peacefully and constitutionally. But if Panjab University continues this unlawful denial, the consequences will be serious and will rest solely with the university administration.”
OBCRIF leaders signaled that if their demands are not met immediately, the movement will expand into a massive public campaign across Punjab and Chandigarh, including legal action and statewide protests.