Tezpur varsity row rages on until Centre confirms VC exit

Tezpur University continued to witness escalating tension on Sunday as protesters vowed to keep the institution shut until a formal communication from the Centre is issued regarding the removal of Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh. The campus, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam’s Sonitpur district, has been the epicentre of demonstrations since mid-September over allegations of corruption and administrative irregularities against the VC.According to information, dramatic scenes unfolded from Saturday afternoon through the early hours of Sunday, after a high-level delegation from the Union Ministry of Education (MoE), led by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, was unable to leave the campus for more than three hours. The team was stopped by protesting students and staff who demanded written assurance from the Centre before allowing the officials to leave.The delegation was finally permitted to exit after a hand-written assurance on a plain sheet of paper was provided by MoE Joint Secretary Saumya Gupta. The note stated that Vice Chancellor Singh would not administer the university while a “strict and time-bound inquiry” against him is underway.
Students, faculty members and non-teaching staff, united under the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF), said they were disappointed that despite 79 days of peaceful protest, no formal or actionable assurance had been issued regarding the VC’s removal. The group reiterated that the shutdown would continue until an official notification from the Centre is received.In a statement, TUUF said the university community had adopted a policy of non-cooperation and non-compliance. “The fraternity remains firm in its stand and will continue the agitation until a clear and official communication arrives from the Ministry of Education,” the forum said. It acknowledged receiving the informal written note from the visiting delegation but emphasised that “informal assurance is not a final resolution”.The shutdown, enforced since November 29, has led to a halt of all academic and administrative activities on campus, including the cancellation of end-term examinations.
The hand-written assurance accessed by sources indicated that allegations against the VC had been discussed in detail. The MoE stated it was committed to initiating a thorough and time-bound inquiry and that Singh would not administer the university during the process. The note also said that status quo must be maintained until a final decision is taken.The central team — comprising the UGC’s acting chairman Vineet Joshi, Joint Secretary Saumya Gupta and Joint Secretary Armstrong Pame — reached the campus on Saturday afternoon but was blocked at the main gate by protesters refusing to let them in unless their demands were formally acknowledged.According to university officials, the team was eventually allowed to leave under police protection after the written assurance was submitted. The Registrar (in-charge) confirmed that Professor Joya Chakraborty, recently named Pro-VC by Singh, would not be taking charge. Instead, senior-most faculty member Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya will serve as acting vice chancellor.
Large police reinforcements were deployed outside the main gate on Saturday evening as students raised slogans seeking the VC’s removal. A significant number of women protesters formed a human blockade at the entrance to prevent police from forcing entry to escort out the delegation.Speaking to reporters, Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi said the MoE had held constructive discussions with all stakeholders. “We have collected feedback and all information is being processed. Appropriate action will be taken based on the facts. Two fact-finding inquiries have already been conducted, and the matter will be taken forward in the interest of the university,” he said.The unrest at Tezpur University began in mid-September, with allegations that the VC had mismanaged the institution and engaged in irregular practices. Tensions escalated sharply after a confrontation between students and the VC on September 22, during which Singh reportedly had to hurriedly leave the scene.The situation further worsened after students accused the university authorities of failing to show due respect to cultural icon Zubeen Garg at a time when the state was mourning his death.Both the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA) and the Tezpur University Non-Teaching Employees’ Association (TUNTEA) have expressed full support for the ongoing agitation.With no official resolution yet from the Centre, the campus remains closed indefinitely as protesters stand firm on their demand for a formal directive on the VC’s removal.