Tezpur University Appoints Senior Faculty Member As Acting VC Amid Shutdown

Tezpur University has been completely closed for the past week. In a significant move, the senior-most faculty member assumed the role of acting vice chancellor on Friday, reported PTI. This development

follows VC Shambhu Nath Singh’s controversial actions since mid-September. Singh held a Board of Management meeting on Thursday, appointing Mass Communication professor Joya Chakraborty as the pro-VC.

However, Chakraborty declined the position, and the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) decided to continue the indefinite shutdown that started on November 29, citing corruption allegations against Singh.

Late at night, the university community invoked the Tezpur University Act, 1993, resulting in senior faculty member Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya taking over as acting VC. Bhattacharyya informed the Union Ministry of Education’s higher education department about the situation, referencing the relevant clauses of the Act. PTI obtained documents from the BOM meeting.

A senior professor accused the ministry of failing to take constructive steps during the protests and colluding with Singh to appoint a pro-VC. The university community demands Singh’s removal, highlighting his three-month absence from campus. The student protests and shutdown will continue until an inquiry into the corruption allegations is initiated.

Since November 29, all services and academic activities at Tezpur University have been suspended, leading to the cancellation of end-term exams. Both the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association and Tezpur University Non-Teaching Employees’ Association support the TUUF-led agitation. The institution has been non-functional for seven days.

The unrest began on September 22 when VC Singh left campus after a heated argument with students. Since then, 11 faculty members and senior officials have resigned. Protesters argue that the evidence against Singh necessitates an immediate inquiry and that his continued presence undermines institutional integrity.

The situation has been tense since mid-September, with students accusing Singh of disrespecting cultural icon Zubeen Garg, who had recently passed away. The Sonitpur District Administration ordered a magisterial probe into the university’s actions regarding Garg. A fact-finding committee from the Assam governor also visited the university to investigate the allegations against Singh.

The indefinite shutdown forced the university administration to cancel and reschedule end-term exams to avoid disadvantaging students. This marks the first time in the university’s history that academic schedules have been formally changed due to student-led protests.

In addition to fiscal irregularities, university staff are protesting against alleged deforestation and ecological harm under Singh’s administration. Singh reportedly ordered the cutting of significant trees and bamboo patches for ‘beautification’ and initiated grass planting activities deemed unsuitable for the tropical region of northeast India by the university community.