Tezpur University Students Demand Transparency in Inquiry Findings
Students Call for Action from Education Ministry
A file image of protests in Tezpur University. (Photo)
Guwahati, Sept 11: Students and research scholars at Tezpur University are urging the Union Ministry of Education to intervene regarding the prolonged delay in releasing the findings of a statutory inquiry into the university's administration. This comes nearly a year after a significant student movement highlighted the institution's administrative issues.
The students have requested that the university Registrar communicate their demands to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and the Additional Secretary of the Department of Higher Education. They are seeking the disclosure of the inquiry results and a clear, timely resolution to the ongoing situation.
Additionally, the students are asking for information on the actions taken against former Vice-Chancellor Prof Shambhu Nath Singh, whom they describe as 'absconding,' and insist that accountability be established wherever misconduct is found.
The representation also addresses various unresolved matters, such as student welfare, funding shortages, ongoing administrative instability, and the delay in the convocation for the 2025 graduating class.
In their statement, the students questioned whether the ongoing delays are a form of retaliation against the university community for opposing corruption.
They are demanding that the Ministry publicly release the inquiry findings, clarify the actions taken against the former Vice-Chancellor, allocate pending funds, and resolve the convocation situation. A written response from the Ministry has also been requested.
The students have warned that if their issues are not addressed, they may escalate their protests, potentially leading to a complete shutdown of university operations until their concerns are resolved.
They further indicated that without meaningful communication from the Ministry, stakeholders might disclose documents and evidence submitted to various fact-finding and inquiry committees.
This inquiry was established under Section 9 of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, on December 31, 2025. The students noted that the three-member committee was supposed to submit its report by March 31, 2026, and while it has completed its proceedings, the findings and subsequent decisions remain undisclosed.
The statutory inquiry was initiated following a prolonged crisis at Tezpur University, with allegations against Singh concerning financial and administrative irregularities, a breakdown in administration, academic issues, and his extended absence from the campus.
Protests from students and faculty intensified starting September 2025, prompting intervention from the Centre.
The Ministry of Education formed the three-member inquiry panel on December 31 and instructed Singh to take leave and refrain from all duties until the inquiry's conclusion.
The panel, led by Manipur University Vice-Chancellor Prof N. Lokendra Singh, included Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik and UGC Secretary Prof Manish R. Joshi. It was tasked with investigating all matters related to the ongoing situation at the university, including the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor.
The students emphasized that their demands are not solely about administrative changes but aim to restore transparency, accountability, and trust within the university's administration.