GUWAHATI, Dec 7: Unrest at Tezpur University intensified on Sunday as students, faculty and staff vowed to continue their indefinite shutdown of the campus until the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) issues an official order removing Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh.
The protest, ongoing since mid-September over allegations of corruption and administrative irregularities by the VC, escalated dramatically on Saturday when a top MoE delegation—led by Secretary Vineet Joshi—was blocked inside the campus for over three hours. The team was allowed to leave only after Joint Secretary Saumya Gupta provided a handwritten assurance stating that Singh would not administer the university while a “strict and time-bound inquiry” is conducted against him.
Despite the gesture, the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) said the campus shutdown would continue until a formal, official communication is issued. “After 79 days of sustained protest, we will not accept informal assurances. The agitation will continue until concrete action is taken,” the forum said.
The standoff prompted heavy police deployment outside the main gate, where hundreds of women protesters blocked the entrance to prevent police intervention. The MoE team held discussions with students and faculty before leaving, noting that the government would act based on feedback and previous inquiry reports.
With end-term examinations cancelled and academic activities suspended since November 29, the university administration confirmed that senior-most professor Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya will serve as acting VC. Mass Communication Professor Joya Chakraborty, earlier appointed pro-VC by Singh, will not assume charge.
The turmoil follows months of tension, including a September incident in which the VC was forced to leave campus amid a heated confrontation with students. As protests continue, the Central University remains shut, awaiting decisive action from the Centre.
