Punjabi University teachers will extend full support and cooperation to the new Vice-Chancellor, as they have been extending to J. S. Puar for the past six years, he said.

Atri congratulated Puar for successfully completing his twin term, which, he said, had put Punjabi University amongst the top universities in India. The academic and infrastructural improvements that Puar had brought about in the university over the past six years will stand in good stead for Ahluwalia, said Atri.

In a separate statement, R. C. Gupta, convenor of the Progressive Teachers Council (PTC), said that while the PTC, in its meeting today, appreciated the work that Puar had done at Punjabi University during his tenure, it also welcomed the appointment of Ahluwalia as the new Vice-Chancellor and hoped that under him, the university would make new strides in the academic atmosphere in Punjab and India.

In another statement, the Free Thinkers Forum of Punjabi University, Patiala, also welcomed the appointment. It described Ahluwalia as a brilliant and enlightened scholar and said that under his leadership, the university would advance in various scholastic fields. The forum also appreciated the quick decision taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. It appealed to all sections of the teaching community to forget their personal differences and extend their full cooperation to the new Vice-Chancellor.

The Punjabi University Class-A Officers Association welcomed the government's decision. The association said he is an able administrator and a sound academician and scholar, and hoped that the university would flourish under his guidance and that their genuine demands would be met. Association president Ravinder Dhir said the association appreciated the services rendered by Puar as Vice-Chancellor.

S. S. Khaira, PUTA president, also welcomed the decision of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to free Punjabi University from controversial Vice-Chancellor Joginder Singh Puar. The association hailed the appointment of Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia as the new Vice-Chancellor.

PUTA hopes that Ahluwalia will play a constructive role in improving the academic and social environment on the campus, said Khaira. He said that immediately after taking over, Ahluwalia should put a stop to the victimization of teachers and non-teaching employees that has been perpetrated on flimsy and manipulated charges.

Khaira also appealed to the government to immediately initiate action against the persons found guilty by the Vigilance Department.