Chandigarh, Nov. 13 -- Union minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu on Wednesday alleged that certain forces are trying to exploit the Panjab University (PU) senate issue to create unrest in Punjab. "When the emotions of students were conveyed to the Centre, it immediately withdrew the notification proposing amendments to reduce the number of senate members," Bittu said. "The amendments were meant to fast-track decision-making in the university, as groupism in the senate had been delaying key decisions. But when some students perceived it as an attack on varsity autonomy, we decided to withdraw it," he added. Bittu also questioned the presence of certain individuals during the dharna held on the university campus on Monday, where protesters demanded the announcement of senate election dates. "The vice-chancellor has already written to the chancellor to conduct the senate polls, and the dates will be announced soon. But a few people tried to use this issue to put Punjab on fire," he said. The minister alleged that some of those attending the protest had no connection with the university. "These are the same faces seen at every dharna - whether it's over the Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana or any other protest in Punjab. htc...