Congress MLA from Patiala (urban) Brahm Mohindra has held the Badal government responsible for the clash between the police and students on the Punjabi University campus on Thursday. He also demanded a probe into the incident.
He said, "It is needed to be investigated who called the police despite the university having 250 security employees. Without permission from the university authorities, the police cannot enter the university premises. Thus, whosoever has called the police is responsible for the violence," he added, accusing the police of resorting to lathicharge unnecessarily.
He said the Badal government is not providing adequate funds to universities and that leads frequent agitations. "If the government provides grants to the university, then such agitations can be avoided," said Mohindra.
Teachers lodge protest
Meanwhile, members of the Teachers for Intervention in Education (TIE) strongly denounced the police action on the peacefully protesting students.
"The police forgot that they were dealing with university students and not with a mob of callous criminals. The state government needs to explain why even peaceful expression of legitimate demands is suppressed violently," said Rajesh Sharma, convener of TIE.
He added the incident also indicated that why elections of students' and teachers' unions continue to be feared by those in power, both in and outside the university.
{{/usCountry}}He added the incident also indicated that why elections of students' and teachers' unions continue to be feared by those in power, both in and outside the university.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the Democratic Lawyers Association, All India Trade Union Congress, Sarv Bharti Naujwan Sabha and other unions also condemned the police action.