Tezpur University Vice-Chancellor Sent on Leave Amid 100-Day Student Protest, Probe Ordered

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NEW DELHI: In a move to address the ongoing crisis at Tezpur University, the Union Ministry of Education has asked Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh to proceed on leave immediately. This decision comes after a 100-day student protest demanding his removal and swift intervention by the central government. The ministry has appointed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of administrative, ecological, and financial irregularities during Singh's tenure. The committee, headed by Prof. N. Lokendra Singh, will examine all issues related to the situation, including the allegations against the vice-chancellor. Since the unrest began in mid-September, at least 11 faculty members and senior officials have resigned from their posts or from the university. The situation has remained tense, with students accusing the vice-chancellor and the administration of disrespecting cultural icon Zubeen Garg during a period of public mourning. The three-member committee, which includes Prof. Jagadish Kumar Patnaik and Prof. Manish R. Joshi, will visit the campus, interact with stakeholders, and review relevant documents and records. They are expected to submit their report as early as possible, within a maximum duration of three months. The development comes after a fact-finding committee report set up by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in October was not made public. The ministry's inquiry committee will examine the circumstances that led to the present crisis, including the resignations tendered and the assumption of charge by various university functionaries.