Uproar At Panjab University: PhD Scholar Dies Of Electrocution
Outraged Students Smash Windows Of The VC's Office
Jyoti, a PhD scholar in the Microbiology Department at Panjab University, Chandigarh, died of electrocution on Tuesday. She hailed from Kakrala in Rewari, Haryana. Following the incident, an uproar erupted at the university.
The accident occurred on an unpaved path adjacent to the road connecting Hostel No. 8 and the UIET building, near Girls’ Hostel No. 10. She was immediately rushed to GMCH-16, where doctors declared her dead. The official cause of the electrocution has not yet been confirmed. The incident has raised questions regarding electrical safety and infrastructure maintenance on the campus.
Students, enraged by the scholar’s death, have begun protesting near the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) office. Protesters are demanding the VC’s resignation.
Student organizations have collectively broken down the gates outside the VC’s office. Chants of “We Want Justice” are echoing all around. Students pointed out that a similar incident occurred last year, resulting in the death of another student due to electrocution.
Family Adamant On CBI Probe
According to reports, the deceased’s uncle has arrived at the hospital, while her parents have only been informed that she was admitted there. The family has raised objections regarding the death by electrocution, stating they will not accept the body without a proper investigation into the cause. The deceased was the eldest daughter in her family and had a younger brother. PU wardens and the head of the deceased scholar’s department are present at the scene. The family remains adamant in their demand for a CBI inquiry.
Demand For Vice-Chancellor’s Resignation
Regarding the incident, Gaurav Veer Sohal, a leader of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council (PUCSC), has leveled serious allegations against the PU administration. He stated, “They are busy bargaining and haggling over a student’s life. We demand the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation; he is accountable for this incident.” A young woman a mother’s daughter who was set to be married next year has lost her life.
We demand the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation today. If students across the country can force the Education Minister to resign over the issue of paper leaks, the Vice-Chancellor is certainly not exempt from accountability. We demand the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation today. Meanwhile, late at night, students protesting outside the PU Vice-Chancellor’s office smashed the glass panes and forced their way inside.
