The Chaos Erupts Near Botany Department

On the evening of March 17, 2026, around 5:45 PM, the serene atmosphere of Panjab University's sprawling campus in Chandigarh was shattered by the sharp cracks of gunfire. The incident unfolded in the parking area adjacent to the Department of Botany, a spot bustling with students attending the ongoing Jhankaar cultural festival. Two to four masked individuals arrived on a stolen Honda Activa scooter, their faces concealed, intent on targeting Jashandeep Singh Jawanda, a prominent leader in the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU). Jawanda, who was near his parked vehicle, reacted swiftly upon spotting the assailants, fleeing as they fired two shots—one reportedly grazing a nearby student's car, though no one was injured. Panic rippled through the crowd, with students scattering in fear amid the festival's vibrant activities.

The attackers, realizing a dead-end near the Shri Radha Krishna Temple on campus, abandoned their scooter—later found with fake number plates—and fled on foot. They threatened the temple priest at gunpoint for not allowing entry with shoes on, then hijacked a Royal Enfield motorcycle from a couple near Chitkara School, speeding towards the Punjab border. Two empty shells were recovered from the scene, providing crucial forensic evidence.

Target's Ties to Student Politics and Gang Shadows

Jashandeep Singh Jawanda's profile adds layers to this disturbing event. A former candidate for general secretary in the Panjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) elections, Jawanda heads a faction of SOPU, shifting allegiances from the Students Organisation of India (SOI)—the student wing of Shiromani Akali Dal—to SOPU. His past associations, including a 2024 public introduction by Ravi Rajgarh, allegedly linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, have drawn scrutiny over criminal influences in campus politics.

SOPU, alongside rivals like SOI and Panjab University Students Union (PUSU), has long dominated PU's student elections, often marred by intense rivalries. These groups trace roots to Punjab's turbulent political landscape, where student wings serve as training grounds for future leaders but also breeding spots for factionalism. Jawanda's links to multiple clashes highlight how personal and political grudges fester, occasionally escalating violently.

Bambiha Gang's Bold Claim and Interstate Rivalries

Hours after the incident, a social media post purportedly from the Davinder Bambiha gang—naming attackers Shaganpreet and Doni Bal—claimed responsibility. The message warned Jawanda and his 'Lawrence-linked SOPU faction' of dire consequences, framing the firing as retribution in a long-simmering gang war. This feud between Bambiha and Lawrence Bishnoi factions originated in PU's student politics over a decade ago, spilling into broader criminal networks across Punjab, Haryana, and even Canada.

Lawrence Bishnoi, who began his criminal ascent as a PU student in 2010, and rivals like Bambiha have weaponized old student grudges, leading to high-profile murders like Sidhu Moose Wala's. PU's campus has become a flashpoint, with gangs exploiting factional divides to assert dominance, turning educational hubs into proxies for organized crime.

Swift Response from Police and University Administration

Chandigarh Police sprang into action, registering a case under the Arms Act against unidentified persons. Teams from DSP Central Division Dalbir Singh Bhinder, Sector 11 SHO, and crime branch scoured the scene, analyzing over 50 CCTV cameras, including temple footage capturing the escape. Forensic teams processed shells and the scooter, while additional forces bolstered campus security overnight. SSP Kanwardeep Kaur confirmed probes into rivalries, with no formal complaint from Jawanda yet.

Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig and Registrar Prof. YP Verma issued statements emphasizing zero tolerance. Initially cancelling the Satinder Sartaaj star night—slated with Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini as guest—the administration reversed amid student pressure to avoid panic, proceeding under tight security. Protests erupted demanding Security Officer Vikram Singh's resignation, spotlighting lapses despite festival SOPs post-2025 murder.

For deeper insights into the police investigation, see the Tribune India detailed report.

Photo by Julia Taubitz on Unsplash

Recurring Violence: Panjab University's Troubled Legacy

This firing revives PU's dark history of campus violence. In April 2016, rival student groups exchanged gunfire, injuring three. February 2022 saw air shots outside Girls' Hostel No. 7. Most shockingly, March 2025 witnessed UIET student Aditya Thakur's stabbing death during a fest concert, prompting SOPs banning large events—now questioned anew.

• 2016: SOI-PUSU clash leads to 8 shots fired, multiple FIRs.
• 2022: Unauthorized firing near hostels raises entry protocol alarms.
• 2025: Fatal stabbing at event kills one, injures three, halts fests temporarily.

These incidents underscore systemic issues: lax perimeter checks, two-wheeler entry loopholes (vs. regulated cars), and outsider infiltration during crowds.

Campus Safety Crisis Across Indian Higher Education

PU's episode mirrors a national malaise in Indian universities, where student politics intersects with crime. UGC data highlights rising incidents: over 200 violent clashes reported in 2025 across top institutions like JNU, DU, and IITs, often tied to union rivalries. In Punjab-Haryana belt, gang proxies amplify risks, with 15% of campus FIRs involving arms since 2020 per NCRB trends.

Stakeholders lament inadequate measures: only 40% of universities have 24/7 CCTV, per AISHE 2025, and counselor-student ratios hover at 1:5000, exacerbating mental health amid threats. Regional context—Punjab's gang ecosystem from 1980s militancy—fuels this, but solutions lag: AI surveillance pilots in IITs show 30% threat detection gains.

Expert Calls for Comprehensive Reforms

Educators and policymakers urge overhaul. PU alum and security expert Dr. Amit Singh advocates 'zero-trust perimeters': biometric gates, drone patrols, and union de-politicization via apolitical councils. UGC's 2026 mental health mandate (1 counselor per 100 students) must extend to safety, integrating police liaison cells.

A 2025 MHRD report recommends:

• Background checks for student leaders.
• Fest SOPs with pre-event threat assessments.
• Training 80% security staff in de-escalation.
• Tech integration: facial recognition cutting unauthorized entries by 50% in trials.

Read the full Times of India coverage for eyewitness accounts.

Voices from the Ground: Students and Faculty React

Students like PUCSC president Gaurav Veer Sohal (ABVP) decried 'administration apathy', while SOPU peers rallied for justice. Faculty worry over academic disruptions—fests boost morale but invite risks. Parents' forums demand enrollment pauses until safety audits. VC Vig's rethink on fests signals shift, prioritizing 'student welfare over extravagance'.

Photo by Godwin Jemegah on Unsplash

Path Forward: Safeguarding India's Academic Sanctuaries

As investigations continue, PU exemplifies need for proactive higher ed security. Collaborative models—UGC-police MoUs, AI analytics, reformed elections—offer hope. With 40 million students in Indian colleges, preventing PU-like scares demands urgency: fortified gates, vigilant monitoring, and politics-free campuses. Until then, every gunshot echoes a call for change, ensuring universities remain beacons of learning, not battlegrounds.

Explore Hindustan Times analysis on gang-university nexus.