Hisar campus row escalates as students’ panchayat serves 5-day ultimatum on govt

Hisar: Tensions intensified at Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST) after a student welfare panchayat, convened under the United Student Front at Krantiman Park, served a five-day ultimatum on the state govt.The move follows allegations of violence during protests linked to the Jannayak Janta Party and a controversy involving the alleged obstruction of former deputy chief minister and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala's convoy by a CIA in-charge.A 31-member committee constituted at the panchayat subsequently met the divisional commissioner and senior police officials and demanded immediate reinstatement of suspended students, withdrawal of FIRs lodged against students in Hisar and Kurukshetra, and permission for all student organisations to hold campus events.The panel also called for curbs on the "saffronisation" of educational institutions, improved hostel facilities, particularly food quality, and the setting up of a Fee Regulatory Board to oversee tuition charges across the state.The panchayat was chaired by Gurjar Samaj national president Anant Ram Tanwar. JJP national president Ajay Singh Chautala, former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala, Purnia MP Pappu Yadav, and JJP youth leader Digvijay Singh Chautala also attended the panchayat.Addressing the gathering, Pappu Yadav said the issue would be raised at the national level, asserting solidarity with the agitation. Dushyant, meanwhile, alleged political interference in academic spaces and accused the police of high-handedness during late-night raids linked to the protests.Digvijay claimed students were targeted for minor acts such as damage to property, alleging that subsequent police action, including a late-night crackdown, was excessive. He questioned whether campus spaces were being selectively opened for certain ideological organisations.The controversy dates back to April 15, when a student event was denied permission at the university. JJP supporters, led by Digvijay Chautala, staged a protest outside the vice-chancellor's office.An FIR was registered against eight leaders on charges of vandalism, leading to arrests, though those detained secured bail the following day.The situation escalated further on April 17, when Dushyant Chautala was involved in a confrontation with the CIA-in-charge, Pawan Kumar. While Dushyant alleged that his convoy was stopped and he was threatened, the police officer maintained that the intervention was prompted by reckless driving and was purely precautionary.The newly formed committee is set to review the govt's response after five days.