Tezpur University Students Seek Centre's Help Over Delayed Report

Students and research scholars of Tezpur University have sought the intervention of the Union Ministry of Education over the alleged delay in making public the findings of a statutory enquiry into the affairs of the central university.

The students have urged the university Registrar to forward their representation to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and the Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, seeking a transparent and time-bound resolution of the matter.

The representation relates to a statutory enquiry constituted under Section 9 of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, and includes concerns relating to the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Prof Shambhu Nath Singh, whom the students have described as “absconding”.

According to the representation, the enquiry committee was constituted on December 31, 2025, and was required to submit its report by March 31, 2026. The students said the committee has completed its proceedings and submitted its report, but its findings and any consequential decisions have not yet been made public.

The students have also flagged a range of unresolved issues concerning the university, including student welfare, shortage of funds, prolonged administrative uncertainty and the delay in conducting the convocation for the 2025 graduating batch.

They have questioned whether the prolonged delay in resolving these issues amounts to retaliation against stakeholders who had raised allegations of corruption.

The students have demanded disclosure of the enquiry findings, clarity on action taken against the former Vice-Chancellor, fixing of responsibility wherever wrongdoing is established, release of pending funds and resolution of the delayed convocation.

They have also sought a written acknowledgement and response from the Union Ministry of Education. The students warned that failure to provide meaningful communication could lead to an escalation of their protest, including a complete shutdown of university functioning.

The representation also referred to a Citizens’ Convention held in Guwahati in December 2025, where stakeholders had discussed the possibility of constituting an independent public enquiry committee comprising educationists, RTI activists, human rights defenders, retired university faculty and retired High Court judges.

The students said their demands were aimed at restoring transparency, institutional accountability and trust in the university administration.

The issue has significant implications for the university's functioning and the students' future. The Union Ministry of Education's response to the students' representation will be crucial in resolving the matter and addressing the concerns of the stakeholders.

In the context of Indian higher education, the Tezpur University issue highlights the need for transparency and accountability in university administration. The students' demands for disclosure of the enquiry findings and action against the former Vice-Chancellor are legitimate and deserve a prompt response from the authorities.

The matter also raises questions about the effectiveness of the statutory enquiry process and the need for independent oversight mechanisms to ensure that universities are managed in a fair and transparent manner.

The students' protest and the potential escalation of their demands could have significant consequences for the university and the higher education sector as a whole. It is essential for the authorities to address the students' concerns and work towards resolving the issues in a timely and transparent manner.

Ultimately, the resolution of the Tezpur University issue will depend on the willingness of the authorities to engage with the students and other stakeholders and to take concrete steps to address their concerns. The students' demands for transparency, accountability, and action against wrongdoing are reasonable and deserve a positive response from the authorities.