02112025-JTR-01.qxd 11/1/2025 10:45 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune CITY COMES ALIVE WITH NAGAR KIRTAN AHEAD OF GURPURAB INDIAN OIL MUMBAI CLINCH 42ND SURJIT HOCKEY TITLE WITH 2-1 WIN SRK @ 60 LOVE, LEGACY & LIMITLESS STARDOM The procession was led by Panj Pyaras and a flower-decked palanquin (Palki Sahib).P2 The winning team of the tournament was awarded the winner's trophy along with a cash prize of Rs 5.51 lakh. P3 Celebrations for the "Baadshah of Bollywood" have begun across the world - from Mumbai to Peru. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.35 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:38 AM » SUNDAY | 2 NOVEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. INBRIEF COP ASSAULT CASE ACCUSED Phagwara: All four key accused in the October 14 assault on two Punjab Police personnel in Phagwara were sent to police remand till Monday for further interrogation. The arrests, made by a team led by SP Madhvi Sharma, mark a major breakthrough in the case in which constable Jatinder Singh and sub-inspector Shiv Raj Chahal were attacked with sticks and sharp-edged weapons near City Heart Nagar while responding to reports of firing in the area. The accused—identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Happy, Jaswinder Singh, Bhupinder and Baabu, all residents of Phagwara—allegedly intercepted the police vehicle and launched a violent assault, leaving constable Jatinder with multiple injuries requiring hospitalisation at Civil Hospital, Phagwara, while SI Chahal also sustained wounds. SSP Gaurav Toora and investigating officer ASI Binder Kumar said efforts are on to trace the remaining accused. — OC Centre’s decision on PU Senate, Syndicate raises hackles Punjab Day ‘gift’ received from Centre, says NAPA Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 1 Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Satnam Singh Chahal has strongly condemned the decision of the Government of India to dissolve the Senate (and Syndicate) of Panjab University, a 59-year-old governing body. In a statement released today, Chahal said NAPA views the move as a blatant assault on the rights and autonomy of Punjab and its diaspora. "This decision, timed on eve of Punjab Day, is not only insensitive to the historic significance of the day but is also a direct attack on the democratic governance of one of India's most prestigious insti- tutions," said Chahal. "The anger and resentment among the Punjabi diaspora globally is real and growing. Punjab's voice is being silenced," he added. NAPA called on the Centre to immediately reverse the dissolution, reinstate the Senate and Syndicate, and engage in meaningful consultation with stakeholders-students, faculty, alumni and the Punjabi community worldwide. The association further urged the Government of Punjab and the university leadership to stand firm in defending institutional autonomy and the rights of Punjabis everywhere. "Punjab has always contributed disproportionately to the nation-to its agriculture, defence and culture," Cong says dissolution of PU Senate bid by BJP-RSS to seize state’s education system Tribune News Service RUMBLINGS BEGIN Jalandhar, November 1 All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Pargat Singh has strongly condemned the Centre on choosing to dissolve the Senate of Panjab University on Punjab Day today, calling it a direct assault on Punjab's rights. He said the Centre's aim, through the RSS, is to seize control over the state's education system. He said that dissolving the university's Senate is an unconstitutional act and will not be tolerated. The Congress party will not remain silent and will soon launch a statewide agitation against the move, he told media persons here. Pargat Singh said the Union government is systematically trying to control educational institutions through such tactics. Many ■ AICC secretary Pargat Singh said the BJP-led Centre and RSS are trying to gain control of educational institutions. ■ He said the Congress party will launch a statewide agitation on the issue. ■ The decision will impact all recognised colleges across seven districts, three regional questions were raised recently during a seminar at Panjab University. He highlighted that students were being forced to sign forms that prohibit them from participating in any activity or protest, which is a blatant violation of their fundamental rights. The Centre has, in effect, stripped Punjab of these rights, he fumed. "This decision will negatively impact all recognised col- Gurpurab fervour ADMN ASSISTS NEEDY FAMILY Panj Piaras lead the Nagar Kirtan to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Jalandhar on Saturday. Guru Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated on November 5 (Wednesday). TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH High Court seeks inquiry into irregularities in IKGPTU appointments Our Correspondent Red Cross secretary RC Birha handing over relief material. P h a g w a r a : The district administration of Kapurthala acted promptly to help a needy family from Mehtabgarh locality after their appeal for assistance surfaced on social media. According to information available, the house of Sunita, wife of Sunny and a resident of Mehtabgarh, suffered damage, prompting the family to seek help by posting an appeal online. Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal immediately directed the Red Cross Society to provide aid to the affected family. A Red Cross team led by secretary RC Birha reached the family and handed over essential relief items. — OC Phagwara, November 1 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Registrar of IK Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU) to conduct a detailed inquiry into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Technical Assistants. The order was passed by Justice NS Shekhawat in a civil writ petition filed by social activist Amardeep Gujral, who sought examination of the university’s hiring process and adherence to statutory norms. According to the petition, several recruitment steps were allegedly carried out in deviation of the university’s approved procedures. The petitioner submitted that eligibility criteria were altered without approval of the Board of Governors and that interviews were conducted despite state instructions discouraging interviews for certain categories of posts. Concerns were also raised regarding the conduct of the written test, evaluation process and constitution of the selection committee. Requests for information under the Right to Information Act were reported to have remained unanswered. After hearing the matter, the court instructed to decide the petitioner’s pending representation dated August 30, 2025 by issuing a speaking and reasoned order within three months. The court also allowed the petitioner 10 days to place additional material on record. If the allegations are found valid, the court directed that appropriate consequential action be taken in accordance with law. Two drug peddlers arrested Phagwara, November 1 Nakodar Sadar police have arrested two drug peddlers on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. Investigating Officer (IO) Jaspal Singh said that 52 intoxicating tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused, identified as Lovpreet Singh and Pawitar Singh, residents of Kapurthala district. — OC leges across seven districts, three regional campuses, and DPI colleges. They have been completely sidelined by a process fully managed by the Central government. The RSS is controlling this education apparatus by appointing personnel with ideological affiliations. Every such step is part of a broader conspiracy to weaken Punjab's institutional framework," he said. The former Education Min- with the BJP The CM has . already handed over 10 acres of land, which reflects a dangerous trend of compromise, he said, appealing to representatives of all political parties to rise above party lines and unite in defence of Punjab's constitutional rights. Pargat Singh also criticised the Punjab government for the complete breakdown of law and order. He said the morale of the Punjab Police has plummeted to a disturbing level, and individuals with dubious credentials have infiltrated the force. Commenting on the Tarn Taran assembly by-election, he said that no political party had paid serious attention to the Majha region, especially Tarn Taran, in the past four decades, which has led to the present state of affairs. Travel firm owner acquitted 14 months after being booked for rape POWERCOM WORKERS’ STIR Phagwara: Opposing Powercom’s privatisation policy and demanding direct absorption of all outsourced contract workers into the department, employees staged a division-level protest on Saturday under the banner of the Powercom & Transco Theka Mulazam Union, Punjab. The protesters also sought government jobs, pension benefits and compensation for families of workers who lost their lives due to electric shocks while on duty. — OC campuses and DPI colleges. They have been completely sidelined by a process fully managed by the Central government, he said. ■ The Congress leader also blamed the ruling party in Punjab saying this has taken place due to AAP govt’s weakness. ister also questioned the intentions of the Aam Aadmi Party government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging them to take a clear and firm stand. He said the Mann administration had already reduced the promise of a "Punjab Dam Safety Law" made during the BBMB issue to a mere slogan. The law was never implemented under BJP pressure. CM Mann, he added, appeared to be functioning like a puppet under dual control — Arvind Kejriwal on the one hand and the BJP on the other. The Congress legislator warned that such threats to Punjab have emerged because of AAP's weakness and indecisiveness. He said Chandigarh is the next target, and cautioned the state government against aligning Jalandhar, November 1 Almost 14 months after a 24year-old girl had allegedly attempted to die by suicide by consuming phenyl tablets and wrote a three-page suicide note accusing Sukhchain Singh Rahi, owner of RS Global Immigration, of raping her, the accused stands acquitted. The court of Additional Sessions Judge Rajni Chhokra pronounced the acquittal on Saturday after the complainant had retracted from all her statements. The accused walked free after the girl told the court that the police had put pressure on her to give the statement against him before a magistrate. Senior advocate Mandeep Singh Sachdev confirmed the acquittal. His assistant, advocate Vivek Kumar, had appeared for the victim in the case. The police had in September 2024 arrested Rahi under Section 64 of the BNS at Navi Baradari police station. The victim had then reported that she was aspiring to move to Singapore or a European country and had said in her complaint that she had contacted Rahi after watching his video on YouTube. She had told the police that she had received a message from from him regarding a seminar at a hotel. The girl had alleged that when she went to the hotel, she was sent to a room booked by his immigration company. She was assured by the complainant that more participants would be joining shortly, and was offered a soft drink. The girl alleged that she lost consciousness after consuming a cold drink, only to later realise that she had been sexually assaulted. The court relied on the fresh statement of the girl wherein she backtracked on every previous statement made by her to the police. The court also relied on the statement of the General Manager (GM) of the hotel in which he had stated that the girl had given her Aadhaar card at the reception for entry into an already booked room. The GM also stated that when the girl came out of the room, she was normal. "There was no order of liquor in the room. Both had walked out together towards the main gate and left in the same car.: the GM stated in the court. — TNS Mela seeks to preserve ideals of Ghadarites Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 1 Poetry, debate, speeches, art and brainstorming sessions marked the 34th Mela Ghadri Babeyan Da, which began on Thursday (October 30). Hundreds of people --- intellectuals, writers, activists, academics, journalists, artists and ideologues --- converged from across the state, country and abroad, holding discussions on the ideals of Ghadarites and sundry other topics related to their beliefs and ideals. The bustling 'Mela' - a space for discussions and cultural exchanges, was first started in 1992. As a committee member said, "The empty grounds of the Yadgaar Hall had prompted Baba Bilga to urge youths Bacchon, Kuch Karo." A brainchild of three Ghadarite pillars committed to keep the beacon of Ghadarite thought alive, the Mela was envisioned by Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga, Comrade Gandharva Sen Kochar and Naunihal Singh. Baba Bilga was an octogenarian when the Mela started on November 1, 1992, the date inspired by the launch of 'Ghadar' newspaper in San Francisco in 1913. 'Ghadar' (meaning revolt), c m y b The ceremonial ‘Jhande Da Geet’ being presented during Mela Ghadri Babeyan Da in Jalandhar on Saturday. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH the newspaper first published in Urdu, was the Indian expatriates' blazing overseas endeavour committed to further the cause of India's independence struggle. The Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall is a keeper of the discourses, writings, art, debate, pictures, symbols, flags and the very thought of that era until today - which have been preserved at the hall as a reminder of the Ghadarites' sacrifices. Cultural wing convenor of the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall, Amolak Singh said, "Ghadarite thought had been crushed in 1947. The Ghadarites made countless sacrifices for the nation. Their youths went to jail and were old men (lovingly called Baabe) when they came out. Hence the prefix, "Ghadri Baabe". When the foundation of the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar Hall was laid in 1959, many Ghadarites were still alive. But until 1992, many were gone. So, lest people should totally forgot about those legends, Baba Bhagat Singh Bilga, Comrade Gandharva Sen Kochar and Naunihal Singh devised a way to mobilise the youth so that lessons of history remained intact. Since Punjab is a land of festivals and 'melas' (fairs), the Mela was started to celebrate the Ghadarite legacy." Yadgaar Committee member and librarian Chiranji Lal Kangniwal said, "It was a time when some Punjab Melas were getting 'lachar' (vulgar). They had bad music and musicians. On the other hand, committee members thought "Kurbaniyan Karan Valean Di Koi Baat Nahi Puchda" (no one is bothered about those who made sacrifices). So, Baba Bilga said, "The grounds are empty; children, do something". That's how the first Mela was held. The peasantry also had an active role to play in it.”