Assam University Protest: CM Requests Centre’s Help, Pro-Vice Chancellor Urgently Needed

Tezpur University in Assam has remained completely shut for six consecutive days, marking the first cancellation of examinations in its history, as students, faculty, and non-teaching staff entered the 75th day of sustained protest against Vice-Chancellor Dr Shambhu Nath Singh. Demonstrators accuse him of large-scale financial corruption, irregular appointments, procurement of pirated library books at inflated prices, and systematic deterioration of hostel and research facilities.

The agitation, which began on 21 September 2025 over the administration’s alleged disrespect toward the mourning period for cultural icon Zubeen Garg, rapidly escalated when evidence of administrative malfeasance surfaced. Protesters claim the Vice-Chancellor fled the campus after making dismissive remarks, prompting a unified campus-wide movement that has now enforced total civil disobedience.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intervened on Wednesday, urging Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to appoint a Pro-Vice Chancellor immediately to restore academic functioning while an impartial inquiry examines the Vice-Chancellor’s conduct. Students and faculty, however, rejected the proposal as inadequate, insisting on the immediate removal of Dr Singh and the installation of an acting Vice-Chancellor.

Also Read: Tezpur University in Assam Shutdown Enters Second Month Amid VC Corruption Protest

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the Chief Minister’s approach, pointing out that Dr Singh faced similar allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of Patna University. Gogoi accused the central government of repeatedly posting controversial administrators to northeastern institutions, thereby undermining their academic prestige.

With two separate high-level committees already having visited the campus and the Ministry of Education yet to announce decisive action, protesters have warned of intensifying agitation if their demand for the Vice-Chancellor’s removal is not met promptly, placing Tezpur University at the centre of a deepening institutional crisis.

Also Read: Tezpur University in Assam Shutdown Enters Second Month Amid VC Corruption Protest