I have no affiliations, will ensure free & fair Panjab University polls: DSW Bhushan

CHANDIGARH: Newly appointed

dean students’ welfare

(DSW) professor Jagat Bhushan said he would ensure free and fair student elections at

Panjab University

(PU) if he gets to keep the charge till the polls.


Talking to TOI, Dr HS Judge Institute of Dental Sciences principal said he had requested the authorities not to give him the DSW charge but maintained since he was now given the responsibility, he would take it as a new challenge and put forward his best.

“I am told it is a temporary charge. I am still hoping they will take it away and give it to someone else before the elections,” Bhushan said.

Although the final date of elections has not been announced, they are expected to be held in the first week of September, like previous years.

The DSW is the de-facto returning officer for

Panjab University Campus Students Council

(PUCSC) elections, and is responsible for maintaining the code of conduct.

All student parties, except for ABVP, are strongly protesting the appointment of Bhushan as DSW, replacing Emanual Nahar. The student parties are alleging Nahar was undemocratically removed by vice-chancellor professor Raj Kumar to favour ABVP. Bhushan, however, said he did not want to be a part of politics.

“I don’t have affiliation with any party. Being in the dental institute in south campus, my faculty and I are far removed from PU’s politics. We even advice our students not to be a part of it. I don’t even know why I was given the charge but had to accept it since I work here,” he said.

Asked on how he would ensure peaceful elections, the DSW said he had not chalked out any plans at present.

On students’ protest warning they would not let him take charge of DSW office, Bhushan said he had already done so on Saturday.

ABVP BIAS CHARGE

Controversy erupted during the last week’s senate meet, when 48 out of about 75 senators gave it in writing to ask for Emanual Nahar’s extension as dean students’ welfare (DSW). However, going against the mandate of the house, the vice-chancellor announced Nahar would not continue as the DSW. Student parties are alleging Nahar was undemocratically removed to favour ABVP in the upcoming student council elections