PhD scholar electrocuted on Panjab University campus in Chandigarh, students protest
A Panjab University PhD scholar died after allegedly being electrocuted on a waterlogged campus road in Chandigarh. The incident triggered student protests, with demonstrators accusing the administration of negligence and demanding accountability.
A 26-year-old PhD scholar died after allegedly being electrocuted while walking through a waterlogged stretch of Panjab University's South Campus in Chandigarh on Tuesday morning, triggering widespread protests by students who accused the university administration of negligence.
The deceased, identified as Jyoti, a resident of Rewari in Haryana, was reportedly on her way to the Department of Microbiology via an unpaved pathway when the incident occurred. According to preliminary information, she slipped due to rain and grabbed a nearby electric pole to steady herself. The pole was allegedly live, causing her to suffer an electric shock.
She was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chandigarh, where doctors declared her dead. The exact cause of her death is yet to be officially confirmed, and further investigation is underway.
The incident sparked outrage among students, with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging a protest outside the office of the university's Executive Engineer (XEN). Protesters alleged that the university had failed to address safety concerns despite similar incidents on the campus in the past.
As the protest intensified, students marched to the Vice-Chancellor's office, where they raised slogans against the university administration. Videos from the campus showed agitating students breaking the main gate of the VC office and confronting university authorities. Police later intervened and dispersed the protesters, while heavy security was deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Renu Vij, compensation for Jyoti's family and strict action against the officials responsible, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the Executive Engineer (XEN).
They also alleged that waterlogging had become a recurring problem on the campus. "Every year there is waterlogging. The university is our custodian – who else is responsible?" the protesting students said.
ABVP state head Pratham Singla alleged that Jyoti was electrocuted after coming into contact with a live electric current while walking through the waterlogged road. He demanded strict action against those responsible and sought accountability from the university administration.
Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) leader Gauravveer Sohal also demanded the Vice-Chancellor's resignation, accusing the administration of failing to ensure students' safety. "A young woman, a mother's daughter who was due to be married next year, has lost her life. We want the VC's resignation today," he said while addressing the protest.
Vice-Chancellor Renu Vij later assured the protesting students that a committee would be constituted to probe the incident and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Education assigned Dr Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction at Panjab University, to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from the forenoon of July 29.
Punjab University has appointed the brother of Jyoti, who lost her life after suffering an electric shock on the university campus, as an electrician on compassionate grounds. The university has also extended financial assistance of Rs 16 lakh to the bereaved family. The decision has been taken to provide immediate support to the family following the tragic incident.
A 26-year-old PhD scholar died after allegedly being electrocuted while walking through a waterlogged stretch of Panjab University's South Campus in Chandigarh on Tuesday morning, triggering widespread protests by students who accused the university administration of negligence.
The deceased, identified as Jyoti, a resident of Rewari in Haryana, was reportedly on her way to the Department of Microbiology via an unpaved pathway when the incident occurred. According to preliminary information, she slipped due to rain and grabbed a nearby electric pole to steady herself. The pole was allegedly live, causing her to suffer an electric shock.
She was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chandigarh, where doctors declared her dead. The exact cause of her death is yet to be officially confirmed, and further investigation is underway.
The incident sparked outrage among students, with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging a protest outside the office of the university's Executive Engineer (XEN). Protesters alleged that the university had failed to address safety concerns despite similar incidents on the campus in the past.
As the protest intensified, students marched to the Vice-Chancellor's office, where they raised slogans against the university administration. Videos from the campus showed agitating students breaking the main gate of the VC office and confronting university authorities. Police later intervened and dispersed the protesters, while heavy security was deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Renu Vij, compensation for Jyoti's family and strict action against the officials responsible, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the Executive Engineer (XEN).
They also alleged that waterlogging had become a recurring problem on the campus. "Every year there is waterlogging. The university is our custodian – who else is responsible?" the protesting students said.
ABVP state head Pratham Singla alleged that Jyoti was electrocuted after coming into contact with a live electric current while walking through the waterlogged road. He demanded strict action against those responsible and sought accountability from the university administration.
Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) leader Gauravveer Sohal also demanded the Vice-Chancellor's resignation, accusing the administration of failing to ensure students' safety. "A young woman, a mother's daughter who was due to be married next year, has lost her life. We want the VC's resignation today," he said while addressing the protest.
Vice-Chancellor Renu Vij later assured the protesting students that a committee would be constituted to probe the incident and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Education assigned Dr Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction at Panjab University, to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from the forenoon of July 29.
Punjab University has appointed the brother of Jyoti, who lost her life after suffering an electric shock on the university campus, as an electrician on compassionate grounds. The university has also extended financial assistance of Rs 16 lakh to the bereaved family. The decision has been taken to provide immediate support to the family following the tragic incident.
A 26-year-old PhD scholar died after allegedly being electrocuted while walking through a waterlogged stretch of Panjab University's South Campus in Chandigarh on Tuesday morning, triggering widespread protests by students who accused the university administration of negligence.
The deceased, identified as Jyoti, a resident of Rewari in Haryana, was reportedly on her way to the Department of Microbiology via an unpaved pathway when the incident occurred. According to preliminary information, she slipped due to rain and grabbed a nearby electric pole to steady herself. The pole was allegedly live, causing her to suffer an electric shock.
She was rushed to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Chandigarh, where doctors declared her dead. The exact cause of her death is yet to be officially confirmed, and further investigation is underway.
The incident sparked outrage among students, with members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staging a protest outside the office of the university's Executive Engineer (XEN). Protesters alleged that the university had failed to address safety concerns despite similar incidents on the campus in the past.
As the protest intensified, students marched to the Vice-Chancellor's office, where they raised slogans against the university administration. Videos from the campus showed agitating students breaking the main gate of the VC office and confronting university authorities. Police later intervened and dispersed the protesters, while heavy security was deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.
The protesters demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Renu Vij, compensation for Jyoti's family and strict action against the officials responsible, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the Executive Engineer (XEN).
They also alleged that waterlogging had become a recurring problem on the campus. "Every year there is waterlogging. The university is our custodian – who else is responsible?" the protesting students said.
ABVP state head Pratham Singla alleged that Jyoti was electrocuted after coming into contact with a live electric current while walking through the waterlogged road. He demanded strict action against those responsible and sought accountability from the university administration.
Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) leader Gauravveer Sohal also demanded the Vice-Chancellor's resignation, accusing the administration of failing to ensure students' safety. "A young woman, a mother's daughter who was due to be married next year, has lost her life. We want the VC's resignation today," he said while addressing the protest.
Vice-Chancellor Renu Vij later assured the protesting students that a committee would be constituted to probe the incident and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
Later in the day, the Ministry of Education assigned Dr Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instruction at Panjab University, to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor with effect from the forenoon of July 29.
Punjab University has appointed the brother of Jyoti, who lost her life after suffering an electric shock on the university campus, as an electrician on compassionate grounds. The university has also extended financial assistance of Rs 16 lakh to the bereaved family. The decision has been taken to provide immediate support to the family following the tragic incident.
