Tezpur University witnessed high-voltage drama over the weekend as agitating students blocked an Education Ministry delegation late on Saturday night. The campus in Assam has seen repeated calls for the ouster of Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh since mid-September. The team led by Education Secretary Vineet Joshi was stuck inside their vehicles for more than three hours. They were only allowed to leave the premises after giving written assurance that the VC would face inquiry for alleged irregularities.
The three-member delegation had visited the university to conduct talks with students, teachers and non-teaching staff over allegations against the Vice-Chancellor.
Midnight standoff ends after written assurance
The ministry team was blocked at the main gate for more than three hours after the meeting, as protestors demanded a written assurance on their main demand. They want the VC to be removed and should not be allowed to function during the investigation. The standoff ended only after Joint Secretary Saumya Gupta gave a handwritten assurance, mentioning that Singh would not administer the university during a strict and time-bound inquiry. After this, the blockade was removed, and the team left the campus shortly before midnight.
While speaking to reporters, Vineet Joshi stated, “We came here to meet the students, teachers, staff members and understand their view of the recent developments. We had a fruitful discussion with them. They have given us their feedback,” as quoted by PTI. He further added that the centre would decide in the interest of the university.
Students continue shutdown, demand a formal Centre order
Despite this, students and staff decided to continue the shutdown, PTI reported, stating they want a formal and official written order from the Centre confirming the VC’s removal. The protest is being spearheaded by Tezpur University Forum (TUUF). All academic activities have remained suspended since November 29. This resulted in the cancellation of end-of-term examinations. The Teachers Association (TUTA) and the Non-Teaching Employees’ Association (TUNTEA) have provided full support to the agitation.
Police have been positioned outside the campus on Saturday evening as students raised slogans and blocked the main gate. In a statement as cited by PTI, TUUF stated, “ After 79 days of peaceful protest, the students, faculty and non-teaching staff are going for a complete non-cooperation until a concrete agreement is officially received.”
At present, the senior-most Professor Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharya is acting as Vice-Chancellor, whereas Professor Joya Chakraborty has refused to take charge as Pro-VC , which was proposed earlier.
What is the Tezpur University protest all about?
As per the Indian Express report, the protest has been going on for over two months, with students and staff accusing the VC of financial irregularities, weak administration, prolonged absence from the campus, disruption of academic processes and damage to the infrastructure.
The report stated that the ministry team advised appointing a Pro-VC, but the protestors opposed the decision. They alleged that it was a decision taken under the current VC’s leadership. A student leader told the India Express that while the team mentioned a possible visitorial committee inquiry, no firm written resolution was initially given, which resulted in the blockade.