Tezpur University crisis worsens as Education Ministry delegation meets protests, no resolution in sight

For the first time since the unrest began in September, a high-level team from the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) landed at crisis-hit Tezpur University in Assam on December 6 — only to be met with slogans, placards, and a blockade that stretched late into the night.

The delegation, led by Higher Education Secretary and Acting UGC Chairperson Vineet Joshi, arrived to assess the escalating confrontation between the university community and Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, who faces allegations of financial irregularities, prolonged absence from campus, and administrative paralysis.

Despite back-to-back meetings with student groups, faculty representatives and campus bodies, no concrete assurance emerged — triggering an intensified wave of anger. By 10:15 pm, hundreds of students had formed a sit-in on the road inside the campus, preventing the visiting team from leaving. Slogans demanding the VC’s removal echoed through the night.

Leadership vacuum and disputed appointments fuel unrest

The ministry's visit follows a week of dramatic administrative shifts after senior professor Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya declared he had “assumed charge” as Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Singh — who has not visited the campus since protests surged in late September — convened an emergency Board of Management meeting with only external members present. That meeting recommended professor Joya Chakraborty be appointed Pro-VC to take charge in his absence.

That decision collapsed almost immediately amid fierce opposition on campus. Chakraborty reportedly informed stakeholders she would not accept the role, while the registrar officially communicated to the ministry that Bhattacharyya had taken interim charge instead.

A member of the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association said the ministry team pushed for Chakraborty to take charge as per the Board’s decision — a proposal student groups rejected, arguing it was executed under the VC’s authority and therefore lacked legitimacy.

“They have not given any firm resolution. They only said they might convene a visitorial committee. There is no written assurance,” said a student representative who attended the discussions.

Shutdown escalates

The visit marks at least the third attempt to intervene. Two earlier fact-finding teams — one sent by the Governor and another by the ministry — had already conducted reviews on campus. Yet, the institutional deadlock remains unresolved.

Tezpur University — one of only two central universities in Assam — has endured a shutdown of academic and administrative functioning since last week. Protesters accuse Singh of presiding over crumbling infrastructure, stalled decision-making, and disruption to academic processes.

Late December 6, the Tezpur University Students’ Fraternity issued a sharply worded statement declaring an indefinite closure of all university activity.

“Even after 79 days of peaceful protest, the visiting team has not communicated any concrete resolution or actionable assurance,” the statement read. “This decision is not taken lightly. It is a reflection of growing frustration and disillusionment with the absence of meaningful intervention.”

Govt weighs formal inquiry

Education secretary Vineet Joshi did not respond to calls seeking comment. However, ministry sources indicated the delegation’s mandate was to listen to grievances and assess the campus situation firsthand.

The government, sources said, may now consider ordering a formal inquiry into the allegations against the Vice-Chancellor — a step that protesters insist must precede any administrative move.

As the ministry convoy remained blocked inside the university late December 6 night, one slogan captured the mood on campus: Seventy-nine days is enough. “We want action — not another committee.”