‎PEC Campus Erupts in Protest: Animal Lovers Demand Director Rajesh Bhatias Resignation Over Confined Dogs

‎TreeTake Network
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High drama unfolded at the Punjab Engineering College (PEC) in Sector 12 (CHANDIGARH) on Friday, Aug 7, as hundreds of animal rights activists, furious citizens, and students staged a massive day-long demonstration demanding the immediate resignation of PEC Director Rajesh Kumar Bhatia. The protest, which began at 10:00 AM and lasted until late afternoon, was sparked by the controversial and alleged illegal confinement of over 35 community dogs. The animals had been rounded up from the campus territories ahead of a high-profile VIP security sweep and transferred to the Raipur Kalan Animal Birth Control centre, triggering intense outrage from animal lovers who accused the administration of severe animal cruelty.
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‎The atmosphere on campus remained highly charged for hours as protesters blocked gates, raised slogans, and refused to back down until the administration took accountability. Under immense pressure, the PEC top brass was forced into intense negotiations, eventually leading Deputy Director Dr. Uma Batra to intervene. By 4:00 PM, the administration formally capitulated to the immediate demands, signing a written agreement and issuing an official letter to the Municipal Corporation requesting the urgent repatriation of all 35 dogs back to their original campus habitats.
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‎"We are here because these innocent animals were illegally caged and removed from their homes under the guise of security," stated Harpreet Kaur, a lead activist and protest organiser on the ground. She added that Director Rajesh Bhatia must take full accountability for the cruelty, emphasizing that the community will not stop until he steps down or implements a permanent, humane stray animal policy.
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‎While the written release order marks a significant victory for the animal welfare community, the present situation remains fragile. Activists maintain that their demand for the Director's resignation stands firm until long-term campus safety protocols are legally established. Reflecting the widespread frustration of the student body, final-year PEC student Aman Sharma noted that the administration treated these community dogs like a security threat rather than living beings belonging to the campus, concluding that while getting the written release order is a massive win, it should not take a public outcry just to enforce basic animal welfare laws.