Tezpur University has been in turmoil since September 21, when students, teachers, and non-teaching staff launched continuous protests
The 76-day impasse at Tezpur University finally ended on Thursday evening after senior faculty member Professor Dhubra Kumar Bhattacharya was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor, following weeks of intense agitation by students and staff.
Protesters, who had been demonstrating in campus for over two months, formally installed Professor Bhattacharya in the post, calling his appointment a “victory for justice.”
Speaking to reporters shortly after taking charge, Professor Bhattacharya said he was prepared for the challenge.
“I have been associated with this university since 1995. I know the issues, and I am confident I can steer it in the right direction,” he said. He assured students and staff that all allegations of corruption under the current Vice Chancellor, Shambhu Nath Singh, would be thoroughly investigated.
“Those involved should get proper punishment. Otherwise the students and staff will not get justice,” he added, promising to restore normal academic activity.
Campus Tensions Escalate
Even as Bhattacharya took over, tensions flared on Thursday night. Protesters burned an effigy of VC Shambhu Nath Singh and clashed with police, breaking through barricades and setting one of them on fire. Demonstrators accused Singh of corruption, financial irregularities, questionable appointments, and negligence.
One major flashpoint was Singh’s decision to appoint Professor Jaya Chakraborty as Pro-Vice Chancellor, a move opposed by both students and teachers who demanded that a senior professor be appointed instead.
A student protester said, “We proposed Professor Bhattacharya as acting VC according to the university constitution. We are happy today, but our movement does not end here. We want a proper inquiry and justice.”
A University in Collapse
Tezpur University has been in turmoil since September 21, when students, teachers, and non-teaching staff launched continuous protests. The agitation intensified on November 29 when protesters sealed the main gate and blocked access to all major buildings, bringing classes, labs, administrative work, and examinations to a complete halt.
The unrest sparked from allegations of academic and financial irregularities under VC Singh, including inflated procurement, deteriorating infrastructure, and questionable administrative decisions.
The situation was further aggravated when the university scheduled student council elections shortly after the death of singer Zubeen Garg, during a period of official state mourning.
With the VC absent from campus for weeks, staff members described the institution as being under a “total lockdown.” Scheduled semester-ending examinations remained uncertain amid the blockade.
Appeals for Intervention
The unprecedented shutdown forced Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to speak with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this week. Sarma requested the immediate appointment of a Pro-Vice Chancellor and called for an impartial inquiry into VC Singh’s conduct to stabilize the institution.
The university administration also sought the intervention of Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya. A fact-finding committee appointed by the Governor and a separate team from the Union Education Ministry have already visited the campus.
Meanwhile, the Sonitpur district administration launched a magisterial inquiry into allegations that the university disrespected cultural icon Zubeen Garg during the mourning period.
What Lies Ahead
With a temporary leader now in place, students hope that examinations and academic operations will resume soon. However, they insist that their agitation will continue until a full investigation into corruption allegations is completed and strict action is taken.
For now, Tezpur University, a premier central institution in Assam, enters a crucial phase as it attempts to recover from one of the worst administrative crises in its history.
