Tezpur University Protests Enter 75th Day Amid Calls for Vice-Chancellor's Resignation
Ongoing Protests at Tezpur University
Tezpur, December 3: The administrative turmoil at Tezpur University continues as protests demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh have now reached their 75th day.
Students, faculty, and staff once again gathered on the university campus, brandishing placards and chanting slogans against the Vice-Chancellor.
One protester remarked, “Today marks the 75th day of our protest, yet neither the central nor state governments have addressed the ongoing crisis.” They emphasized that the academic environment has deteriorated and vowed to persist until the allegations against the VC are investigated and he resigns.
Support for the protests has grown in recent weeks, with various organizations, including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), expressing their solidarity.
On Tuesday, AASU collaborated with local civil society groups to organize a significant torch rally, demanding the immediate ousting of Prof. Singh.
Hundreds of students, alumni, faculty, non-teaching staff, and local residents marched through the town, chanting slogans and accusing the Vice-Chancellor of corruption, arbitrary governance, and leading the institution into administrative paralysis.
Protesters also voiced their frustration over the inaction of higher authorities, including the Union Ministry of Education, despite numerous appeals for intervention.
The situation has escalated to the political arena in New Delhi. During the ongoing Winter Session, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, president of the Anchalik Gana Morcha and an Independent MP, raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, describing the university's administrative crisis as alarming.
Bhuyan claimed that allegations of irregularities and corruption have emerged, while the Vice-Chancellor has been absent from the campus for over two months.
“No genuine efforts have been made to resolve this deadlock,” he warned, indicating that the administrative void has disrupted academic life.
The unrest traces back to mid-September when students accused the VC of making inappropriate comments regarding the late Assamese cultural figure Zubeen Garg and denying permission for a condolence event during the statewide mourning period.
A magisterial inquiry was subsequently initiated by the Sonitpur district administration.
Both the teachers’ association and non-teaching staff unions have expressed their support for the protests, deeming the situation unsustainable.
To date, at least 11 senior officials from the university, including the PRO, Finance Officer, and Registrar in charge, have resigned, citing an administrative breakdown.
The situation intensified on November 29 when the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) declared an indefinite shutdown of the campus.
All administrative offices were locked, the main entrance was barricaded, and end-term examinations were canceled.
Previously, Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi had reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate intervention and labeling the situation as “administrative chaos,” while alleging financial misconduct during the current Vice-Chancellor's term.
As the standoff continues, there is increasing pressure on both the central and state governments to respond and take decisive action to restore order at one of Assam’s prominent educational institutions.