New Delhi: Tezpur University in Assam witnessed high drama Saturday that continued late into the night when a team led by higher education secretary Vineet Joshi arrived on campus. They were met with protests from students, after which the team provided written assurance of a “strict” and “time-bound” inquiry against Vice Chancellor (V-C) Shambhu Nath Singh.
The campus agitation—ongoing since 27 September—stems from allegations of financial and administrative mismanagement against Singh, his prolonged absence from campus and his allegedly insensitive response to the students’ plea to postpone student council elections following singer Zubeen Garg’s untimely death. He is also alleged to have made “disrespectful” remarks against the singer. The students and teachers have since been demanding the V-C’s removal.
A three-member led by Joshi, who is also acting chairperson of the University Grants Commission, joint secretary Saumya Gupta, and director in the department of higher education Karanjit Singh Ngangbam had reached the campus Saturday afternoon to talk to the agitating students, teaching and non-teaching staff members.
According to the students and teachers, they held hours-long meetings with the education ministry representatives.
“They initially tried to convince the representatives to accept the Pro-Vice-Chancellor appointed at the recently held board of management meeting. But we rejected it because we do not accept that meeting, as it was called by the V-C, whom we do not recognise as our V-C,” a Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA) member told ThePrint.
The confrontation began Thursday, when the V-C convened the emergency board of management meeting and appointed Joya Chakraborty, a professor in the department of mass communication, as Pro-Vice Chancellor—a move immediately rejected by the agitating teachers and students.
In response, the senior-most professor, Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya, suo motu assumed charge as Acting Vice-Chancellor, citing Statute 2(6) of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, which empowers the senior-most professor to discharge V-C duties when the V-C and Pro-V-C are unavailable.
Students also said the education ministry representatives gave them verbal assurances of support but nothing in writing until they were stopped by the agitators while leaving the campus.
A written note was then given, signed by Gupta.
“It was discussed that there were multiple issues with the governance style of V-C Dr S.N. Singh. Allegations were heard and discussed. The department of education is committed to initiating a strict and time-bound inquiry against him, and during its pendency he will not be administering the university,” states the note, seen by ThePrint.
Following this, the students, teachers and non-teaching staff representatives, under the banner of Tezpur University United Forum, issued a statement acknowledging receiving an informal written communication from the joint secretary.
Students view this as a preliminary step, but emphasise that the protest will continue until an official, formal notification is issued and concrete action follows, they said.
The students, faculty and non-teaching staff further asserted that they are going for complete non-compliance and non-cooperation until a concrete agreement is officially received.
“After 79 days of sustained agitation, the fraternity remains resolute, awaiting the MoE’s (ministry of education) formal confirmation. The Joint Director has also stated that the status quo shall be maintained regarding the appointment of Prof Dhruba K. Bhattacharya until further notice is given,” the statement added.
ThePrint has reached Joshi and Gupta for comment, and this report will be updated if and when a response is received.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)