All input to the media from the university, it has been ordered, will now be routed through the Department of Communications.

This is the second time that an order of this kind has been issued. A similar order came during the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Dr K S Aulakh.

Additional Director (Communications) Dr Jagtar Dhiman, however, refused to view the order as a gag.

“The term (gagging order) is too harsh. We have just given the order so that we can project the university better. Moreover, if we know what information is being given out to the media, then even the department can keep a record of things,” said Dr Dhiman.

“We want to decide the kind of information that should go out of the university, it (the information) should show us in positive light,” Dr Dhiman added.

Meanwhile, PAU V-C Dr Manjit Singh Kang, when contacted on the matter, said, “We will look into the order again. Our aim is not to gag anybody but to check that no person belonging to the university is misquoted or that no wrong information is circulated. We are not attempting to stop anyone from directly contacting any scientist. There are certain information that scientists can give on their own and there is no need to go through the Communication Department then.” The V-C was, however, quick to add, “Provided the information sourced is harmless and is in public interest.”