Protests intensify at Tezpur University as Education Ministry team visits
Tezpur: The massive, 79-day-long protests at Tezpur University escalated dramatically, entering an "intensified phase" after a visiting Central Ministry team on Saturday departed without offering any "concrete resolution" or "actionable assurance" regarding the protesters' long-standing demands.
Thousands of students are currently sitting on the roads surrounding the University premises, demanding immediate action. The palpable frustration among students, faculty, and stakeholders has led to the formal announcement of a complete and indefinite closure of all academic and administrative activities within the campus.
The crisis, which has now spanned over two and a half months, saw a new peak of tension following the visit by a team from the Ministry of Education (MoE) led by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi.
The protesting students shouted slogans against VC Sambhu Nath Singh and demanded his immediate removal when the MoE team arrived at the university. As students continued to protest, a massive security deployment was made on Saturday night on the varsity campus.
According to a press statement, the University community expressed "deep disappointment" that despite the MoE team's presence, the core issues remain unaddressed.
"This prolonged silence from the system has further eroded their trust in the institutional and governmental mechanisms meant to safeguard accountability and justice within higher education spaces," the statement read.
Protesters maintain that multiple representations, repeated appeals, and prior fact-finding visits have resulted in no decisive step being taken to address the initial grievances that triggered the movement.
The high-level team was allowed to leave post midnight following a written assurance on a blank paper by the Department of Higher Education's Joint Secretary Saumya Gupta, who was a part of the delegation.
The MoE team in a hand-written note assured that a strict and time-bound enquiry will be conducted against VC Sambhu Nath Singh and that during the pendency of the same, he will not be administering the university.
Speaking to reporters on the campus, Joshi said, "We came here to meet the students, teachers, staff members and understand their view of the recent developments. We had a fruitful discussion with them. They have given us their feedback."
He said the ministry is processing all information and appropriate action will be taken, noting that two fact-finding inquiries had already been conducted.
"Based on these, the central government will take the matter forward. Whatever decision we take, I am sure it will be in the interest of the university," Joshi said.
Student representatives have emphasized that the decision to indefinitely shut down the University is a move of last resort, calling it a reflection of their "growing frustration and disillusionment with the absence of meaningful intervention."
They state that the escalation is a "direct consequence of systemic indifference" and that the community now feels compelled to adopt a firmer stance to ensure their voices are not sidelined.
The protesters remain resolute, reiterating that: "The agitation will continue with heightened intensity until a clear, written, and satisfactory resolution is provided by the competent authorities."