Ludhiana University’s V-C removed over ‘misbehaviour’ with Kashmiri students

CT University Vice-Chancellor (VC) Nitin Tandon was suspended on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following allegations that he misbehaved with a group of Kashmiri students, Chancellor Charanjit Singh Channi said.

While the private university has also launched an internal investigation into the matter, the situation is being monitored by local authorities.

The students claimed that on Monday, February 23, 2026, they demanded that ‘sehri’ and ‘iftar’ arrangements be made in the university cafeteria during the ongoing month of Ramadan. However, they alleged that Mr. Tandon used abusive language against them and threatened to cancel their admission.

Students staged a protest at the university and shouted slogans against Mr. Tandon.

Mr. Channi said the services of VC Tandon have been terminated and a committee led by the Jagraon sub-district magistrate has been constituted to investigate the matter.

Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, in an official statement, said that the district administration resolved the issue amicably at CT University in coordination with senior police chief of Ludhiana Rural and community leaders.

Mr. Jain said the students ended their agitation after the district administration ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

Earlier, the issue was highlighted by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti.

Ms. Iltija shared a video of Kashmiri students on X alleging the VC’s misbehavior and requested Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take action in this regard.

“Dear @BhagwantMann ji, do you support CT University Punjab Vice-Chancellor harassing and bullying Kashmiri Muslim students for demanding food for Iftari and Sehri just because it is Ramadan? You are surprised that attacking Kashmiris has become normalized even in a state like Punjab. We demand strict action against the Vice-Chancellor. Everything else is just a show-off,” Iltija said in her post.

Jammu and Kashmir Students Association also requested CM Mann’s intervention in the matter.

Nasir Khuehami, national convener of the students’ association, said he had received complaints from students alleging that they were threatened with expulsion from their hostels and their registrations were canceled for wanting to eat at the university cafeteria at inappropriate timings during Ramzan.

Mr Khuehami said the students were regular fee-paying boarders who only requested necessary meal arrangements.

He said no student should face hostility, threats or pressure for following their faith.

Mr Khuehami said universities should be safe and inclusive spaces that promote constitutional values, dignity and equal treatment for all regardless of region, religion or background.