‘Political patronage has ruined campus discipline’: PU security officer Tejinder Sandhu slams political interference

Chandigarh: An office has quietly opened on the ground floor of Panjab University's Student Centre — not for a society or a student group, but for officer on special duty (campus security), Tejinder Singh Sandhu, a retired Punjab Police SP now tasked with restoring order on campus. His first target: the growing influence of political parties on campus.
"When parties begin to patronise student groups, the focus shifts from education to influence," Sandhu said. "Academics suffer. Students stop behaving like students. It becomes about power."
Sandhu's joining comes amid protests by the joint action committee (JAC), which is demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor, dean student welfare, and chief of university security. While avoiding direct comment on these demands, he questioned the intent behind them. "Anyone can raise a demand. Whether it's fair depends on the motive. If it's political, it's not genuine," he said.
Though critical of outside interference, Sandhu defended the university's democratic student structure. "Student elections are good. Debate is healthy. But outside political direction is not. PU has a strong structure — let students own it," he said.
He's also outlined security changes: stricter ID checks, regulation of vehicle entry with time-specific stickers, and clearer traffic flow at Gate No. 1. "Unauthorised vehicles near academic blocks won't be allowed," he said.
"Security staff will check ID cards. Fake ones will lead to removal. Those creating disturbance can be detained and entered in the register," he added. His approach: "Prevent, detect, and follow through. If anything happens, I'll ensure the person responsible is caught and punished."
While the administration has not agreed to JAC's resignation demands, Sandhu's presence — right in the heart of student life — marks a clear message: politics must step back, and academics must return to the centre.