TEZPUR, Dec 3: The administrative crisis at Tezpur University escalated further on Wednesday as sustained protests demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh entered their 75th day. Students, faculty and staff once again gathered on campus, raising slogans and accusing the VC of misgovernance, corruption and prolonged absence from duty.
Protesters said the academic environment had collapsed and criticised both the Centre and the state government for failing to intervene despite repeated appeals. Support for the movement has grown significantly, with various organisations—including the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU)—extending solidarity.
On Tuesday, AASU and Tezpur civil society groups held a massive torch rally through the town, drawing hundreds of students, teachers, alumni and residents. Participants demanded the immediate removal of the VC, accusing him of arbitrary decision-making and pushing the university into “administrative paralysis.”
The crisis reached national attention after Independent MP and Anchalik Gana Morcha president Ajit Kumar Bhuyan raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. He termed the situation an “alarming administrative breakdown” and claimed that the Vice-Chancellor had been absent from campus for over two months while irregularities continued unchecked.
The unrest began in mid-September following allegations that the VC made insensitive remarks on late Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg and denied permission for a condolence event during statewide mourning. A magisterial inquiry was subsequently ordered by the Sonitpur district administration.
Since then, the university has witnessed an exodus of senior officials—with at least 11 key administrators, including the PRO, Finance Officer, Registrar in-charge, deans and directors, resigning over what they described as an “administrative collapse.”
Tensions peaked on November 29 when the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) enforced an indefinite shutdown of the campus, locking administrative offices, barricading the main gate and prompting the cancellation of end-term examinations.
Earlier, Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging urgent intervention, describing the situation as “administrative anarchy” and citing alleged financial irregularities under the VC’s tenure.
