Baltej Pannu Exposes Akali Dal’s Hypocrisy on Panjab University Issue

From SYL to Panjab University, Badal family repeatedly betrayed Punjab: Pannu

Chandigarh, November 20, 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) over the Panjab University issue, accusing it of blatant double standards. AAP Punjab senior leader and General Secretary Baltej Pannu said the Akali Dal is attempting to mislead the people of Punjab by politicising a sensitive matter like Panjab University in a desperate bid to regain its lost political ground.

Pannu said that just yesterday, Sukhbir Badal visited Panjab University claiming that the Akali Dal would “fight to save” the institution. Calling Sukhbir Badal’s statement laughable, Pannu cited an official government letter that proves exactly the opposite. He revealed that it was the Akali Dal–BJP government itself that had given a written “No Objection” for converting Panjab University into a Central University, clearly stating that the Punjab government would have no objection if such a decision were taken. “Today, the same people who prepared to hand over the university to the Centre are pretending to be its saviours,” Pannu said.

The AAP leader added that Akali Dal’s record of betrayals is long. He said that in the SYL canal matter, the Akali Dal had permitted the canal’s construction after taking money. Similarly, when the Union Government brought the three black farm laws, the Akali Dal supported the BJP and justified the laws, claiming there was “nothing wrong” in them and promising to help implement them. “But when Punjab’s farmers rose in revolt, they were forced to pretend outrage and resign only to save face,” he said.

Pannu said the era is over when politicians could give contradictory statements in different places and still get away with it. The people of Punjab are now well aware. He accused the Badal family of usurping Punjab’s rights while in power. Previous governments, especially the Akali Dal, left no stone unturned in trading away Punjab’s interests for personal and political gain.

He said the crises Punjab faces today are the direct result of these traditional parties’ selfish politics. Whether it is the issue of Punjab’s river waters, the SYL dispute, or now Panjab University, the Akali Dal and earlier governments have repeatedly compromised Punjab’s rightful interests.

Pannu affirmed that AAP will continue to stand firmly to protect Panjab University’s democratic structure and defend Punjab’s rights, while exposing Akali Dal’s lies before the people.