25112025-CT-01.qxd 11/25/2025 12:43 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune UNIVERSITY EX-SENATORS WARN OF ESCALATING CRISIS 4 LIVE CARTRIDGES FOUND IN RESIDENTIAL COLONY DHARMENDRA: THE STAR WHO WILL SPARKLE FOREVER Ex-Senators, Syndics & Deans say Centre pushed PU, Punjab into ‘dangerous, emotially volatile’ phase. P3 Four live cartridges were found near a house at a housing colony in Sector 29-D on Monday morning. P3 Sprinkled with stardust and wrapped in tinsel, his was a career that spanned every kind of movie. P4 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 149 PANCHKULA 187 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD Flags historical, political conundrums that 131st Amendment Bill ignored THE TRIBUNE SPECIAL GOVERNANCE HISTORY WHAT THE MOVE MEANS Nitin Jain WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH EXPO: National Silk Expo; Himachal Bhawan, Sector 28-B; 11 am to 9 pm DRAMA: The 20th TFT Winter National Theatre Festival, showcasing rich line-up of performances; Tagore Theatre, Sector 18; 6: 30 pm APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29 and 56, and Dhanas Panchkula: Sector 15 Mohali: Sectors 68 and 71 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF YOUTH HELD IN MURDER CASE Chandigarh: The police have arrested Shubham, alias Simbhu, a resident of Sector 56 here, for the murder of Vishal, a resident of the same sector. He was stabbed by the suspect with a knife during a birthday party. Vishal was rushed to GMSH-16 where he succumbed during treatment. TNS HOUSE BURGLED IN SECTOR 41-A Chandigarh: Burglars struck at a house in Sector 41-A and decamped with jewellery and cash. Ashok Walia reported that thieves broke into his house on Sunday and stole jewellery, including a gold chain, two bangles, silver anklets, nose pins, and Rs 30,000 in cash. The police have registered an FIR under Sections 305(A) and 331(3) of the BNS at the Sector 39 station. TNS MAN HELD WITH ILLICIT LIQUOR Chandigarh: The police arrested Sanjay Kumar of Burail, Sector 45, with a substantial quantity of liquor at Industrial Area, Phase II, on Sunday. The seized liquor included the bottles of whisky and rum in various quantities. A case under Sections 61-1-14 of the Excise Act was registered at the Sector 31 police station. The police said the accused was later released on bail. Further investigation in the case is in progress. TNS ■ 1952-1966: Chandigarh ■ Punjab’s claim over ■ Opposition parties likely to Tribune News Service functions as the capital of undivided Punjab. ■ 1966: After Punjab’s reorganisation and creation of Haryana, the city becomes a UT and joint capital. ■ 1966-1984: City governed by Chief Commissioners, beginning with ICS officer MS Randhawa. ■ June 2, 1984: Amid Punjab militancy, post of Chief Commissioner abolished; redesignated as Adviser to Administrator. ■ 1984 onwards: Punjab Governor becomes ex-officio Administrator under Article 239(2) — a unique arrangement in the country. ■ 2016: Centre attempts to appoint independent Administrator KJ Alphons; reverses decision within 24 hours under political pressure. ■ 2025: Centre proposes and disposes placing Chandigarh under Article 240, potentially ending the Punjab Governor’s administrative role. Chandigarh weakened; transfer demand may lose practical relevance. ■ Administrative control shifts squarely to the Centre, reducing any state-linked influence. weaponise issue in run-up to 2027 Punjab polls. ■ Chandigarh’s special status — shaped by history, politics and federal arrangements — faces its most significant constitutional shift in decades. Chandigarh, November 24 Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari has underscored that the city was conceived, planned and built as the capital of Punjab after the Partition deprived the erstwhile state of its historical capital, Lahore, and warned that attempts to alter its governance through the nowshelved 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill carries both deep political and attendant constitutional implications. Speaking to The Tribune, Tewari said the city’s designation as a Union Territory in 1966, following the trifurcation of Punjab and the concurrent creation of Haryana, was always intended as an interim administrative measure. “Chandigarh was inaugurated on October 7, 1953, as Punjab’s capital. When PEPSU merged into Punjab in 1956, the city became the capital of the undivided Punjab state. Both successor states —Punjab and Haryana — lay claim to it now, but it is historically unambiguous that Chandigarh was conceived as Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari says the Centre’s proposed Article 240 move has once again underscored the continuing confusion with regard to the city’s political status Punjab’s capital way back in 1949-1952,” he said. Tewari criticised the NDA- P'kula Sector 5 turns fitness zone, morning traffic curbs from today No general vehicle movement allowed for 90 minutes ■ Oct 30: Centre notifies sweeping restructuring of PU. ■ Nov 1: The Tribune exposes full contours of PU overhaul; triggering instant backlash across Punjab and Chandigarh. ■ Nov 1-7: Campus unions, PU Senate, political parties escalate protests; issue snowballs into a region-wide agitation. ■ Nov 7: Centre quietly begins internal review after sustained uproar; PU overhaul effectively halted. ■ Nov 10: Unprecedented PU student protest erupts — the largest youth mobilisation in recent decades. ■ Nov 22: Tentative list for Winter Session shows 131st Constitution Amendment Bill proposing to bring Chandigarh under Article 240. ■ Nov 23: The Tribune reports the Bill’s implications — massive political firestorm erupts; Punjab leaders accuse Centre of “stripping Punjab’s grip on Chandigarh”; Centre issues clarification: No Bill in Winter Session; no change in Chandigarh’s governance; consultation assured; Bill effectively put in abeyance. Winter Session business without circulating the text. Continued on page 2 FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE PU stir: All eyes on morcha deadline Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 24 With just one day left for the deadline issued by protesting Panjab University’s (PU) students, the campus was today all set for either a historic shutdown or a celebration on November 26 — depending on whether the long-delayed Senate election schedule is notified by tomorrow. Morcha leaders said they were “cautiously optimistic” that the announcement may come on November 25, which coincides with the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, drawing a parallel to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to repeal the three contentious farm laws on Gurpurb (November 19, 2021) after a year-long nationwide agitation. The Tribune had broken the PU overhaul story on November 1, triggering a fierce political firestorm in Punjab and Chandigarh that forced the Centre to withdraw its restructuring move within a week. But despite the rollback, the Senate poll notification — withheld since the aborted restructuring — has not been issued even two weeks after the PU Vice-Chancellor sent a recommendation to the Chancellor on November 9. Protesters hope for Senate election notification today Morcha leader Avtar Singh said Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu’s assurance to The Tribune yesterday that Senate election dates “will be announced in the next few days” had strengthened hopes of a Gurpurb breakthrough. He added that if the notification arrives tomorrow, “November 26 will become a fateh rally, not a bandh.” However, he reiterated that November 26 semester exams must be postponed regardless of whether the notification is issued. “Hundreds of students have been on dharna 24x7. It is impossible for them to appear for exams the very next day even if our main demand is accepted,” he said. Referring to today’s circular from the Dean, University Instruction, declaring November 26 a working day and directing faculty to report for duty from 9 am to 5 pm with examinations “as per schedule,” the morcha warned of a possible confrontation. “If the varsity remains adamant on holding exams or obstructs celebrations in case the notification comes, the responsibility Continued on page 2 Hallomajra man run over by taxi, driver arrested Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Panchkula, November 24 The Panchkula traffic police have announced that Sector 5 will be closed to vehicular movement for 90 minutes every morning, transforming the area into a dedicated fitness zone from tomorrow onwards. ACP (Traffic) Surender Singh said with immediate effect, the entire stretch behind Shalimar Ground, near the Night Food Market, past the Parade Ground, behind the HAFED building, in front of the protest site, up to the rear of BellaVista, and back towards the slip road near the Food Market and the park-side road would remain fully closed to general traffic from 6 am to 7.30 am daily until further notice. Panchkula Police Commissioner Sibash Kabiraj said the decision follows RESTRICTIONS FROM 6 AM TO 7.30 AM ACP (Traffic) Surender Singh said with immediate effect, the entire stretch behind Shalimar Ground, near the Night Food Market, past the Parade Ground, behind the HAFED building, in front of the protest site, up to the rear of BellaVista, and back towards the slip road near the Food Market and the park-side road would remain fully closed to general traffic from 6 am to 7.30 am daily until further notice. instructions from Haryana DGP OP Singh, who originally launched the “Keep Calm Square” initiative, when he served as Panchkula Police Commissioner. The initiative had, at that time, turned Sector 5 into a car-free zone in the early morning hours, enabling residents to walk, jog, practise yoga and engage in other fitness activities in a peaceful, traffic-free and pollution-free environment. The move was widely welcomed by the public, prompting its reintroduction. Officials said the step was taken to enhance convenience, health and safety of local residents, allowing them to pursue their morning fitness routines without noise, congestion or emissions. DGP OP Singh is known for actively promoting fitness. He regularly encourages police personnel, young people and the public to adopt healthy lifestyles. The traffic police have urged motorists to avoid these routes between 6 am and 7.30 am and to cooperate fully by adhering to diversions and regulations. Chandigarh, November 24 A cyclist was killed after being hit by a taxi near Kishangarh Chowk here on Sunday afternoon. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The deceased has been identified as Dinesh Kumar (40), a resident of Hallomajra. The police said the accident occurred around 4 pm when a Punjab-registered taxi, coming from the opposite direction, collided with the cyclist head-on. The car was being driven rashly. The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and hit Dinesh. The police said the taxi driver had been identified as 38year-old Vishal, a resident of Ganesh Vihar, Dhakoli. He has been arrested. The police have registered a case and started an investigation into the accident. Illegal structures being razed at the Chandigarh Club on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Illegal structures razed at club Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 24 The UT Estate Office today conducted a demolition drive at Chandigarh Club, Sector 1, to remove unauthorised constructions. The operation commenced at 6 am, with coordinated action from multiple departments and enforcement wings. According to officials, several illegal structures, including a kitchen, a toilet, an extension of building, several tin sheds occupied by the Commando Caterers and a water body were removed during the drive. Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner-cumEstate Officer, UT, stated: “The Chandigarh Administration remains firmly committed to maintaining the planned character of the city.” Adequate police force, including women constables, was deployed at the club to maintain law and order throughout the drive. The SDM (Central), along by Executive Magistrates, was also present. The Health Department, Sector 16, had deployed two ambulances. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had on November 21 dismissed a writ petition filed by M/s Commando Caterers Pvt Ltd against the Chandigarh Administration’s order dated November 14 directing removal and dismantling of alleged building violations at the Chandigarh Club. Can’t spot migratory birds at Sukhna Lake? Head to Motemajra village Gaurav Kanthwal Tribune News Service ROAD CLOSED Chandigarh: Various stretches on the Purv Marg from Junction38 to Junction-43 (Tribune Chowk to Transport Area light point) will remain closed as per requirement. The UT Engineering Department will carry out recarpeting/repair work from November 26 to December 15. led Centre for listing the 131st Amendment Bill (now deferred) in the tentative BACK-TO-BACK CENTRE PULLBACKS MAX 24°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 25.5°C | MIN 8.3°C SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.57 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Chandigarh was not conceived as UT to begin with, says Tewari MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET TUESDAY 5.23 PM » TUESDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST A flock of bar-headed geese (Anser Indicus), which breed in Central Asia and migrate south from Tibet, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia, at Motemajra village in Mohali. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VICKY c m y b Mohali, November 24 With the onset of winter, winged guests have started arriving at the numerous water bodies in the area, with a sizable population gathering at Motemajra here. The otherwise solitary spot, the place near Motemajra village these days is buzzing with migratory bird activity early in the morning and evening, and a handful of bird watchers clicking photos. Birdwatchers have till now identified bar-headed geese, black-headed white ibises, ruddy shelducks and greyheaded swamphens, painted storks, common pochards, stilts, northern shovelers, evocets, cormorants, great blue herons among others. The birdwatchers and local residents said it was still early days and the bird count would rise till December or January-end. “Birdwatchers, photography enthusiasts, nature lovers and children can spend quality time sitting here in solitude,” said Jatin Singhal, a Mohali resident and nature lover. Every year, the sight of avocet — a long-legged, white-black shorebird with a long beak — draws many bird watchers here. It catches eye because of its rare upturned bill, distinctly opposite from all other migratory birds. Nature photography enthusiasts say they eagerly wait for black-winged stilts every year, a bird which provides them countless clicks with its antics all day long. The birdwatchers say the Motemajra village panchayat had stopped farming water chestnut in the waterbody for the past two years, which has minimised the disturbance for the migratory birds and further improved the conditions for their short stay. Additionally, the wild growth in the area has proliferated, providing favourable conditions for these birds. “Wild growth provides adequate foraging opportuni- ties and cover from potential predators to these birds. For those who are disappointed with not enough showing of migratory birds at Sukhna Lake this year till now, they still can latch on to the opportunity here. The arrival of migratory birds to Sukhna Lake and its surrounding areas has dropped substantially, with nearly 67 per cent fewer avian guests being spotted so far this year. The Chandigarh Bird Club identified 26 species of migratory birds and spotted 232 birds in a recent survey. Rima Dhillon, club president, said, “There were hardly any birds to be seen on the Sukhna water.”