Tezpur University row: Gaurav Gogoi flags collapse of Assam’s higher education

Guwahati: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government, alleging a systematic collapse of the state’s higher education sector amid the ongoing Tezpur University row.

Addressing a press conference in Tinsukia, Gogoi said the university, once among India’s top 10 under Congress rule, has steadily declined.

“Students may be receiving stipends today, but educational institutions across Assam are collapsing. Be it Gauhati University or Dibrugarh University, scams are surfacing everywhere,” Gogoi claimed.

Questioning the appointment of Tezpur University Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, he pointed to Singh’s previous tenure at Patna University, where allegations of financial irregularities had surfaced under the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government.

“Despite these allegations, he was appointed VC here. Students were forced to take matters into their own hands to demand a probe. The Chief Minister tried to suppress the facts. This reflects the current state of higher education in Assam,” Gogoi said.

The Union Ministry of Education on Friday directed Singh to proceed on immediate leave. It also ordered the formation of a three-member inquiry panel to investigate the allegations against him.

Tezpur University has witnessed protests since mid-September over alleged irregularities during Singh’s tenure.

A ministry official said, “The three-member enquiry committee will examine all matters pertaining to the ongoing situation at Tezpur University, including allegations against the Vice Chancellor.”

The panel, headed by Manipur University Vice Chancellor N. Lokendra Singh, will include Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik and UGC Secretary Manish R. Joshi. It has been asked to submit its report within three months.