Chandigarh: Facing criticism from opposition parties over the Centre's move to restructure Panjab University's Senate and Syndicate, the BJP on Monday said it remains fully committed to safeguarding the university's interests and protecting Punjab's rightful stake in the institution.

The Centre's October 28 notification amended the Panjab University Act, 1947, reducing the Senate's strength to 31 members, abolishing the graduate constituency, and ending elections for the Syndicate, the university's executive body.

In a post on X, the Punjab BJP said the notification aims at “administrative reforms” and added that the potential impact on governance and academics is being carefully assessed. The party said it will seek a solution that protects Punjab's interests through consultations with professors, students, and educationists.

The BJP also urged the Punjab government to stop running a “misleading campaign” and instead focus on establishing democratic Senates and Syndicates in other state universities.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday had termed the Centre's move “unconstitutional” and “dictatorial,” claiming that the Centre lacks authority to amend the Panjab University Act via notification. “Either the state assembly can amend it, or it has to go to Parliament. None of that happened,” he said, adding that the AAP government may move court over the issue.

Mann alleged that by issuing the notification, the BJP had once again revealed its “anti-Punjab face.”