Ludhiana university VC sacked over alleged misconduct, threats to Kashmiri students: JKSA

Srinagar, Feb 25: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday said that CT University has terminated its Vice Chancellor following serious allegations of misconduct and administrative failure linked to the alleged harassment of Kashmiri Muslim students over their request for Sehri and Iftar arrangements during the holy month of Ramadhan.

National Convenor of JKSA, Nasir Khuehami, said that the Punjab Chief Secretary, KAP Sinha, informed the Association that the matter was taken up at the highest level and has now been resolved. According to the Association, the Chief Secretary conveyed that Dr. Nitin Tandon has been removed from his position as Vice Chancellor with immediate effect.

The controversy began after Muslim Kashmiri students alleged that they were threatened with eviction from the hostel and cancellation of their admissions after requesting basic meal arrangements for Sehri and Iftar in the university mess during Ramadhan. The students further alleged that the then Vice Chancellor used abusive language and warned them of academic repercussions.

The issue escalated into a peaceful agitation on campus, with students demanding a fair probe, assurance of safety, and institutional accountability.

Following JKSA’s intervention with the Punjab Government, senior district officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police Ankur Gupta and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Upinderjit Kaur Brar, visited the university campus to assess the situation and ensure the safety and security of the students.

Khuehami also stated that Shahi Imam of Punjab, Maulana Mohammad Usman Rahmani Ludhianvi, visited the campus, met students and university authorities, and facilitated dialogue to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy.

Subsequently, the Chancellor of the University, Charanjit Singh Channi, informed that Vice Chancellor Dr. Nitin Tandon has been terminated over his alleged conduct and handling of the situation. He added that the university has initiated an internal inquiry into the incident, while local authorities continue to monitor developments to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Punjab Government has also constituted a high-level committee, headed by the SDM, to conduct a time-bound probe into the matter, including possible administrative lapses and misconduct.

The Association said the agitation was formally called off after the administration ordered a comprehensive inquiry and the university terminated its Vice Chancellor. JKSA expressed gratitude to the Punjab Government, the university management, the district administration, police authorities, and community leaders for ensuring the matter was resolved peacefully through dialogue and institutional intervention.

Reiterating its stance, the Association said that Punjab has historically been a welcoming and compassionate home for Kashmiri students and traders, and stressed that preserving this legacy of brotherhood and inclusivity remains essential.