Home / Education / PU Festivals Defy Star Night Ban Amid Safety Concerns
PU Festivals Defy Star Night Ban Amid Safety Concerns
15 Mar
Summary
- Campus festivals proceed with musical evenings despite a ban.
- SOPs ban star nights after a student's murder last year.
- Organizers push for performances despite past security issues.
Panjab University's Campus Students Council (PUCSC) is preparing for the Jhankar fest from March 15 to 18, including musical performances that appear to contravene the university's own safety protocols. Following the tragic murder of a student on campus during a festival last year, the university implemented standard operating procedures (SOPs) that explicitly banned 'star nights.'
Despite these regulations, preparations for Jhankar are underway, featuring a Himachali singer, a Punjabi Sufi artist, and a Haryanvi singer. These performances are scheduled for the Law Grounds. This venue hosted a large gathering last year for a performance by singer Arjan Dhillon, which was later called off due to crowd management concerns. Another planned event for singer Gurdas Mann was also cancelled previously.
The university's SOPs were intended to address serious safety issues, including crowd control and the entry of outsiders, highlighted by the fatal clash. However, musical evenings remain highly anticipated elements of PUCSC festivals, drawing significant crowds, raising questions about the enforcement of safety guidelines as the current fest approaches.
