Mon Dec 15 13:13:26 UTC 2025: ## Tezpur University Gripped by Protests, Students Demand Removal of Vice-Chancellor
Tezpur, Assam – December 15, 2025 – Students and staff at Tezpur University staged a nine-hour hunger strike on Monday, escalating their ongoing protest against Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh. The university has been effectively shut down since late November as members of the Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF), a joint platform of students, teachers, and non-teaching staff, demand Singh’s immediate removal and an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities.
The hunger strike, held from 9 a.m., aims to pressure the Ministry of Education (MoE) to take decisive action. The TUUF accuses the MoE of ignoring their repeated appeals and the growing frustration within the university community. They cite a visit by a top MoE delegation on December 6, where officials were effectively trapped on campus by protesting students until a written assurance was given that Singh would be suspended from duties pending an inquiry.
The situation at Tezpur University has been volatile since mid-September, stemming from allegations of disrespect towards local cultural icon Zubeen Garg, followed by accusations of financial mismanagement and deforestation under Singh’s administration.
Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya, the senior-most faculty member, has taken charge as acting vice-chancellor, citing the Tezpur University Act of 1993. Students have agreed to take term-end examinations, but other university activities remain suspended. Singh has been absent from campus since September 22, following a heated exchange with students.
The TUUF has warned that protests will intensify if the MoE fails to take prompt action, reiterating their demands for Singh’s removal, a fair inquiry, and his placement on administrative leave. The MoE has yet to respond to the latest escalation in the ongoing crisis.
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