Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann condemned the BJP-led Centre for altering Punjab University’s governing bodies, calling it a “dictatorial” act and vowing legal action.

The central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, was criticized by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday for reorganizing the governing bodies of Punjab University in Chandigarh through a notification, calling the action “dictatorial.”

Following a harsh reaction from his fellow ministers and other party leaders to the notification a day earlier, Mann declared that his government will take the case to court. “We are seeking legal advice. We shall take the matter up with the Supreme Court or the High Court if necessary. He stated in a video message, “We will fight this injustice.”

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Mann stated that the Centre lacked the authority to make changes to the 1947 Punjab University Act by means of a notification. The central government’s action was referred to as a “Nadar Shahi farman (arbitrary decree)” by him. “Any amendment in the Act must be done either by the state assembly or Parliament.”

With an announcement on October 28, the central government drastically changed how the 142-year-old Punjab University was run. It eliminated elections for its executive body, the syndicate, and reduced the number of its highest governing body, the senate, to 31 members. The senate now consists of 97 members, and the syndicate members are chosen from among the senators.

The chief minister accused the BJP of undermining Punjab and its rights, pointing out that similar attempts had been made previously when he had resisted a plan to associate Haryana’s colleges with Punjab University. According to him, Haryana sought university affiliation for its institutions in Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, and Yamunanagar. They also hoped that this connection would allow their members to join the university’s senate.