The standoff at Panjab University escalated Friday, with the PU Bachao Morcha setting a November 18 deadline for the university to release the long-delayed schedule for Senate elections. Student groups warned that if the schedule is not announced by then, they will block semester examinations, except for candidates appearing under the golden chance category.A second deadline, November 20, is expected to take the agitation beyond the campus. The morcha said a joint meeting of kisan unions, teachers’ associations, labour groups and civil society outfits will be held in Chandigarh that day, signalling that the protest could move into Punjab’s wider political and social landscape.‘Delays have crossed the limit’Story continues below this adAfter a meeting on Friday, the morcha accused the university of repeatedly seeking time without presenting a clear plan for completing the final phase of Senate elections.“November 18 is final. We won’t step back an inch until the election schedule is declared. If this takes a hundred days, we will sit for a hundred days,” said PUCSC vice-president Ashmeet Singh. He said students were prepared for consequences: “Arrests do not bother us. Pressure tactics will not work. Senate elections are not a favour. They are mandatory.”Morcha representatives added that the November 20 meeting would not be symbolic, and that the participation of major kisan, teacher and labour organisations would intensify scrutiny on the administration. The full list of groups is expected to be announced soon.The morcha also accused the university of “motivating” Haryana students to withdraw from the protest, pointing to Mohit Manderana’s recent resignation. The administration has denied the allegation.Bittu remark heightens tensionsStory continues below this adTensions rose after union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said the Centre had withdrawn its PU notification within 48 hours “out of respect for student sentiments” and blamed “outsiders” for disturbing the campus. The morcha said his remarks hardened their stand.“He has no stand of his own,” Ashmeet said. “Whatever the BJP leadership writes for him, he simply reads. He doesn’t understand the ground reality. Panjab University is tied to Punjab’s identity, not whichever political script he is handed.”Administration says exams will proceedThe university maintained that examinations scheduled for November 18 would be held as planned. PU registrar Y P Verma said the administration would ensure peaceful conduct of exams.“Students are not in a position to dictate terms to the university. Academic work cannot be held hostage,” he said.Story continues below this adVerma said the nature of the agitation had shifted, with “slogans about centralisation and politics that do not belong to this campus”, and pointed to the High Court’s recent directions that students must first return to classes.“The court has been clear. Academic work cannot be sacrificed at the altar of electoral aspirations,” he said, quoting Friday’s order: “Go back to your classes, attend your classes for at least seven days and then we will hear the case.”He warned that the administration would not allow a repeat of the November 10 disruption. “If there is another call like the one on the 10th, preventive and security measures will be taken. Students who lead such calls will face action from the university,” he said. The writer is an intern with The Indian Express