Protests at Tezpur University Escalate Amid Corruption Allegations, Campus Paralysed For Six Days

Tezpur: Protests continue at Tezpur Central University, leaving all academic and administrative activities paralysed for the last six days. Students complained that despite allegations of large-scale corruption within the university and the Governor’s order for an inquiry, no result has emerged till now. What began as a campus protest on September 22 has now spilled onto the streets with the main Jyoti Gate of the university being blocked since Friday.

Banners Across University Roads

The academic and administrative buildings of Tezpur University have remained shut for the past six days due to student agitation. Also, students have set up a blockade at the main Jyoti Gate, preventing anyone from entering the campus and staging sit-in demonstrations. Protesters have set up banners along all roads within the university. Employees of the university have also joined in the protest and gathered near the main gate in solidarity.

University staff have also joined in the students' protest (ETV Bharat)

Partha Choudhury, secretary of the Non-Teaching Staff Association, said, "The academic block has been shut for six days. The students are angry as the government has not taken up the matter seriously. We are trying our best to resolve the situation at the earliest, keeping their demands in mind."

"The deadlock is mainly due to lack of government intervention. The Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making body of the university, is headed by the Vice-Chancellor. With the VC absent, the Registrar is holding charge, yet a meeting of this crucial committee should have been held immediately."

Nipu Boruah, a student of the university said, "For 72 days now, students have been protesting. We want discussions on exam-related issues. We have spoken to the faculty, but no solution has surfaced. Since September 22 VC Shambhu Nath Singh has gone mission from the university. Neither the Centre nor the state government has taken any decision. Today, we heard some verbal assurances from the Centre and will be relieved only when an official notification is received."

Regarding the examinations scheduled from December 3, he said, "Exams are the benchmark to test oneself. Discussions on this issue are still underway. We expect an official statement from the university today. We are hopeful that the VC will be removed and a new Vice-Chancellor appointed soon."

Tezpur Central University campus (ETV Bharat)

The crisis deepened with reports that the university’s electricity bill of over Rs 50,000 remains unpaid. Wi-Fi bills have not been cleared, the medical unit is running out of medicines, and there is a shortage of diesel. Meanwhile, the Finance Officer and two other officials are reportedly absconding.

In the midst of the turmoil, Assam Sahitya Sabha’s chief secretary Debojit Bora joined the protest organised by students and teachers on Monday. Speaking to the media, he said, "We are deeply saddened by the situation at Tezpur Central University. We urge the higher authorities to resolve this issue immediately. After speaking with the protesters, we understand their mental state. Their grievances are genuine and not difficult to address."

He said that the Sabha would write to the authorities after discussing the matter with its president and would take all necessary steps to ensure restoration of a healthy academic environment in the interest of the Assamese community.

Centre Clarifies on Absentee Tezpur University Vice-Chancellor in Lok Sabha

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Education on Monday responded to concerns raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the prolonged absence of the Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University since September 22, 2025. Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi had sought details on administrative disruptions, alleged irregularities, and steps taken by the Centre to address the situation.

Replying to unstarred Question No. 9, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said that Central Universities function as autonomous institutions governed by their respective Acts and Statutes. He clarified that under the Tezpur University Act, 1993, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor is mandated to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor in case of vacancy or non-availability. If the Pro-Vice-Chancellor is also unavailable, the senior-most professor is authorised to take charge until the Vice-Chancellor resumes duty or a new appointment is made.

On the allegations of large-scale irregularities, including issues in security guard appointments, labour law violations, and procurement of library books and e-resources, the Minister informed the House that the fact-finding committee has already submitted its report to the Governor.

The Ministry did not specify any intervention by a Central team, reiterating instead the statutory autonomy of Central Universities in managing their internal administrative affairs.

Gaurav Gogoi Seeks PM Modi's Intervention

Congress MP and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the ongoing administrative paralysis at Tezpur University. In a letter sent on Tuesday, Gogoi demanded a high-level probe into allegations of financial irregularities, mismanagement and the prolonged absence of over 73 days of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh.

Gogoi informed the Prime Minister that Tezpur University, once seen as a beacon of higher education in the Northeast, is currently facing a severe institutional crisis marked by administrative misconduct, lack of accountability and weakened governance. He highlighted a series of controversies surrounding the Vice-Chancellor, who has reportedly not appeared on campus since September 22, 2025.

Referring to recent incidents, Gogoi mentioned accusations of insensitive comments allegedly made by the Vice-Chancellor following the sudden death of Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg.

Quoting the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association, Gogoi stated that the VC’s frequent absence and failure to delegate authority have caused severe delays and a near standstill in administrative work. He further flagged issues like shortage of faculty, stalled recruitment processes, declining NIRF ranking, irregularities in financial and procurement practices, unauthorised use of university property, excessive travel expenditure, non-tendered purchases, opaque agency hiring, and rule violations in appointments and contract extensions—including those of key finance officials.

Gogoi also pointed to structural defects detected in newly constructed buildings and hostels. Calling Tezpur University a vital institution for the Northeast, Gogoi appealed for the Prime Minister’s immediate intervention to restore academic standards and institutional integrity.

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