57 Days of Protest: Students Charge Tezpur University VC With Massive Irregularities

The Tezpur University Students’ Union on Monday held a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club, levelling a series of serious allegations against Vice-Chancellor Shambhunath Singh, including charges of financial irregularities, administrative corruption, academic fraud, intimidation of students, and prolonged absence from the university.

Students Allege Large-Scale Corruption and Mismanagement

Addressing the media, student representatives said that ever since Vice-Chancellor Singh assumed office, the university has witnessed “widespread corruption” in financial matters and recruitment to key administrative posts. They alleged that the Vice-Chancellor has been functioning in an autocratic manner, sidelining established norms and running the university without transparency.

The students further claimed that Singh has been mostly absent from the campus, rarely staying at the university for a meaningful duration.

Doubts Over VC’s PhD Degree; Students Demand Judicial Probe

A major allegation raised at the press meet was the suspected irregularity in Singh’s PhD degree. Students said there is no publicly available thesis, academic records, or research papers connected to his doctorate.

They also pointed out that a court had previously ruled that Singh should not be appointed as Vice-Chancellor, yet the Ministry of Education went ahead with the appointment. The Students’ Union said this raises serious concerns about due diligence.

The Union has demanded the formation of a Judicial Inquiry Commission headed by a retired judge from either the state or central government to investigate:

• Alleged misuse of authority

• Financial and administrative corruption

• Academic discrepancies regarding the VC’s doctoral degree

• Alleged threats issued to protesting students

• Negligence in administrative functioning

Students Claim Threats and Intimidation

The press conference also included allegations that the Vice-Chancellor had issued threats “equivalent to death threats” to a student protester. The students said such behaviour is unacceptable and indicative of an alarming abuse of power.

57 Days of Protest; No Action from Authorities

The students highlighted that their ongoing protest on the university campus has now completed 57 days, yet the fact-finding committee constituted by the administration has not submitted its report. They termed this administrative silence as a deliberate attempt to delay justice.

Despite the agitation, students said they have continued attending classes and examinations to ensure that academic progress does not halt.

Students Say VC ‘On the Run’

The Students’ Union also claimed that the Vice-Chancellor is currently “absconding” from the campus, further raising concerns about accountability.

Appeal to Central and State Governments

The Students’ Union has appealed to both the Ministry of Education, the Prime Minister, and the President of India to immediately suspend Vice-Chancellor Shambhunath Singh.

Although the Union has already submitted letters to the Prime Minister and President, students said they have not received any positive response so far.

Failure to Pay Tribute to Zubeen Garg Sparks Anger

The students further criticised the university administration for failing to pay tribute to late singer Zubeen Garg, calling it an “insensitive and unacceptable” omission for a central university that prides itself on cultural awareness.

Female Students Denied Benefits Under Nijut Moina Scheme

The Union also alleged that due to administrative negligence, many female students have been deprived of benefits under the Nijut Moina scheme, causing significant inconvenience to the beneficiaries.

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