CHANDIGARH: If you want peace, be prepared to walk the talk. With ‘strict measures’ failing to check the increasing incidents of violence at Panjab University, vice-chancellor RC Sobti on Thursday changed strategy.

Treading new ground, the varsity is going straight for the mind, trying to make students realize how violence could rip apart their careers, leading to a bleak future.

On Thursday afternoon, Sobti held a session with the law faculty and students, including their leaders, to persuade them into recognizing that too much bloodshed on the campus would not only tarnish the varsity’s image, but also spell doom for them. ‘‘I want my students to be at the top. So, I request you to take a pledge that you will not indulge in any violence. We all must — in the name of PU — join hands and stop the hooliganism,’’ he implored.

Asking students to boycott law-breakers, he said, ‘‘We are a five-star university. We’re just lacking in a little thing, which has become a huge issue. We must have an art to deal with such things politely.’’

Present on the occasion were DSW Prof Naval Kishore, DSW (women) Prof Nishtha Jaswal, chairman of department of laws Prof PS Jaswal along with Prof Jatinder Mohan and Meena Sehgal from psychology department. ‘‘Agitations and fights won’t lead them anywhere. That’s why we talked to law students in this regard,’’ said DSW Naval Kishore said, adding, ‘‘It was the VC’s idea and I think it will have a positive impact.’’