Tezpur, Dec 5: The ongoing shutdown at Tezpur University, now in its eighth day, intensified on Friday as the senior-most faculty member, Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya, assumed charge as acting vice chancellor in a suo motu move. The development comes amid continued agitation demanding the removal of Vice Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh over allegations of corruption.

The unrest began in mid-September and escalated on November 29 when the university declared a full shutdown, halting all academic activities and leading to the cancellation of end-term examinations. On Thursday, Singh convened a Board of Management meeting and appointed Mass Communication faculty member Joya Chakraborty as pro-vice chancellor, but she declined the position. The Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF), which is spearheading the agitation, announced that the shutdown would continue.

Invoking provisions of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, university members facilitated Bhattacharyya’s assumption of charge as acting VC. He subsequently informed the Union Ministry of Education’s higher education department of the decision. Several faculty members criticised the ministry for what they described as inaction, accusing it of backing Singh’s attempt to appoint a pro-VC.

Protesters maintained that Singh’s removal remains their primary demand and pointed to his extended absence from the campus for nearly three months. The agitation has received strong support from the Teachers’ Association (TUTA) and Non-Teaching Employees’ Association (TUNTEA).

Since the protests began, 11 senior faculty members and officials have resigned. The demands have widened to include allegations of ecological harm under Singh’s tenure, including the felling of trees and bamboo patches on campus in the name of beautification.

The Sonitpur District Administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the university’s handling of cultural sensitivities following controversy surrounding an incident related to late cultural figure Zubeen Garg. A fact-finding panel appointed by the Assam governor has also examined the functioning of the VC’s office.

The shutdown marks the first instance in Tezpur University’s history in which academic schedules have been formally disrupted due to student-led protests against the institution’s top administrator. The administration has indicated that examinations will be rescheduled to ensure students do not face academic setbacks.

The university community continues to demand a comprehensive inquiry and timely intervention to restore normalcy and institutional functioning.