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The institution, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam’s Sonitpur district, has been hit by intense protests since November 29, as a joint forum of all stakeholders demanded the removal of the embattled VC for his alleged involvement in corruption and other forms of irregularities and initiation of a probe into his actions.
Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF), a joint forum of students, teachers and non-teaching staff, expressed disappointment that even after 100 days of continuous peaceful protest, no concrete solution or actionable assurance has been given for the removal of the VC.
“Stakeholders have strongly condemned the continued impunity given to absentee VC Shambhu Nath Singh, despite serious allegations and persistent opposition from within the university community,” a TUUF volunteer told PTI.
Singh’s prolonged absence and inaction of officials have pushed the institution into administrative paralysis and eroded public confidence, he said.
”Tezpur University Teachers Association (TUTA), Tezpur University Non-Teaching Staff Association (TUNTEA) and the student community have started a 24-hour hunger strike from 12 am on Monday, which will continue till 11.59 pm.
“This collective action marks 100 days of sustained democratic struggle – a period defined not by solutions, but by silence, delay and deep despair,” the TUUF member said.
He stressed that through this hunger strike, stakeholders want to draw national attention to what they describe as systemic failure of governance.
The student said, “We reiterate that this is not just a university-specific issue, but a question of the credibility of public institutions and the moral conscience of the system that regulates them. We reaffirm that our movement is steadfast and our demand for justice will not fade with time or fatigue.”
The TUUF member further said that the hunger strike stands as a powerful expression of frustration and moral anguish over the “complete lack of accountability” even after 100 days of peaceful protests, memorandums, inquiries and appeals.
“The university fraternity claims their struggle has exposed a deeply troubling reality – a system that appears more invested in protecting individuals in power than in protecting institutional integrity and student futures,” he said.
The situation at Tezpur University was tense since mid-September, with students accusing the VC and university authorities of not giving due respect to cultural icon Zubeen Garg, while the state was mourning his death.
Apart from financial irregularities, the university community is also protesting against alleged deforestation and ecological destruction carried out on the picturesque campus under Singh’s administration.
The VC walked away from the campus after a heated scene and exchange of words between him and students at the university on September 22, leading to a situation where Singh had to flee the spot.
Already, at least 11 faculty members and senior officials have resigned either from their posts or from the university since the protests began in September.