Tezpur University’s Leadership Crisis: Senior Faculty Takes Charge as Acting VC

Tezpur University is currently experiencing a significant leadership crisis as its senior-most faculty member has assumed the role of acting vice chancellor following a recent tumultuous period. The university has been under complete shutdown for the past week due to ongoing protests against the current VC, Shambhu Nath Singh.

The situation escalated after Singh convened a Board of Management meeting to appoint Mass Communication professor Joya Chakraborty as pro-VC. However, Chakraborty declined the position, prompting the Tezpur University United Forum to maintain its indefinite shutdown, which commenced on November 29.

Protesters are demanding Singh's resignation over corruption allegations, claiming that he has been absent from the campus for nearly three months. In light of these circumstances, Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya, a professor of Computer Science and Engineering, took charge as acting VC, invoking the Tezpur University Act, 1993.

Bhattacharyya has communicated with the Union Ministry of Education regarding this change in leadership, emphasizing the need for a resolution. Faculty and students alike have expressed their dissatisfaction with the administration, particularly in light of Singh's actions and lack of respect for university culture.

As tensions rise, students have shut down all academic activities, leading to the cancellation of end-term examinations. Faculty associations are backing the protests, highlighting the community's demand for an inquiry into Singh's alleged misconduct.

This unprecedented move marks the first time in the university's history that academic schedules have been altered due to a student-led protest against an administrative figure. The ongoing unrest reflects deeper concerns over governance, environmental policies, and institutional integrity at Tezpur University.