Students and staffers of Tezpur University staged nine hour hunger strike, for demanding The Ministry of Education on issues raised by them , including the immediate removal of Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh on the alleged of disrespect to cultural icon Zubeen Garg ,Fiscal irregularities and Deforestation under Singh’s administration. The hunger strike begun from 9 am outside the university gate .Significantly , the protest against VC has continued for last three months.
The strike organized by the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) ,aims to pressure the Ministry Of Education to take swift action . Despite multiple informal assurances , the ministry has failed to provide an adequate resolution ,leading to growing frustration among the university community .
The university has been under a shutdown since November 29 , with limited relaxation for term-end-examination . A top MoE delegation visited the university on December 6 but was blocked by students. The TUUF warned that protests will intensify if decisive action is not taken without further delay.
MoE team allowed to leave Tezpur University after handwritten assurance that VC Shambhu Nath Singh won’t perform duties pending inquiry .TUUF demands Singh’s removal , fair probe , and administrative leave , warning of intensified protests if decisive action isn’t taken .
The senior faculty member ,Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya , assumed charge as acting vice-chancellor on December 5 . At his request ,students had agreed to sit for the term-end-examination from December 11 , though other activities in this central university remained under the shutdown. VC Shambhu Nath Singh stayed away from the campous after a confrontation with students on September 22. He later appointed Prof. Joya Chakraborty as pro VC which she declined .