Tezpur uni VC row: Protesting students vow institution’s shutdown

Tezpur: A high-level team from the Ministry of Education, confined within Assam's Tezpur University by student protesters demanding the removal of the vice-chancellor over alleged financial irregularities. Protesters allowed the team to leave campus, of the central university here in BJP-ruled Assam, only after a written assurance by the varsity authorities to remove the VC office, PTI reported.

The three-member team, led by UGC Chairman Vineet Joshi and accompanied by top police and civil administration officials of Sonitpur district, reached the campus during the day to meet students, faculty and staff, but were blocked at the main gate by protesters till around 11.45 pm.

The registrar in charge of the university, Chandan Goswami, told PTI that the central team could exit the premises after a written assurance was provided to the agitators.

On Sunday, the protestors vowed to enforce a shutdown at the institution, which has been witnessing sustained protests since mid-September against alleged irregularities by Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, till a formal communication from the Centre regarding the VC's removal is received.

All academic activities at the varsity have been stopped since November 29, with the protesting students refusing to budge without a clear written assurance on their demand for Singh's removal.

Police reinforcements were deployed at the gate since the evening, as the protesters raised slogans against the vice-chancellor.

The Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF), leading the agitation, had expressed disappointment that even after 79 consecutive days of “peaceful protest”, no concrete resolution or actionable assurance had been provided.

“The escalation is a direct consequence of systemic indifference, and the community now feels compelled to adopt a firmer stance to ensure their voices are not sidelined,” the forum said, affirming that the agitation will continue until a satisfactory written response is issued.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday lauded the student-led agitation as a symbol of "new Assam".

Gogoi, the deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha and chief of the party in the state, criticised the government for its handling of the unrest, which started in mid-September following the death of singer Zubeen Garg.

"It is disappointing to see the manner in which Tezpur University is being tackled by the government. At the same time, I am proud of the manner in which the students and faculty of Tezpur University have conducted themselves. Firm, unbending and dignified," Gogoi said in a series of posts on X.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a BJP stalwart, on Sunday denounced the student agitation and said he is not with any form of protests but supports all forms of discussion.

"Where there is an agitation, I am not there. I will be there if there is a discussion," Sarma told reporters on the sidelines of an official function here.