PU symposium row: 20 students detained amid protests over venue U-turn

Around 40 students protested at Panjab University’s ‘Shakti & Srishti’ symposium under ‘PU Against Saffronisation’, leading to detention of 20 students by police.

Protests arose over allegations that the university reneged on a decision to shift the entire event to Tagore Theatre.

Controversy stemmed from inclusion of RSS-linked speakers Sadhvi Ritambhara (Vatsalyagram founder) and Shanta Akka (Rashtra Sevika Samiti), who delivered keynote addresses on women’s roles.

Morning session proceeded at New Convention Centre with Vande Mataram and cultural presentations, while protests turned volatile; second half moved to Tagore Theatre as planned.

Event was part of Viksit Bharat@2047 initiative, with VC Renu Vig speaking on women’s contributions, concluding with felicitation ceremony.