Guwahati, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
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.
In a representation to the university Registrar, the students have sought that their concerns be forwarded to the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and the Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, for a transparent and time-bound resolution.
The representation concerns a statutory enquiry constituted under Section 9 of the Tezpur University Act, 1993. According to the students, the enquiry committee was constituted on December 31, 2025, and was required to submit its report by March 31, 2026. They said the committee has completed its proceedings and submitted its report, but the findings and any consequential action have not been made public.
The students have also raised concerns over student welfare, shortage of funds, prolonged administrative uncertainty and the delay in holding the convocation for the 2025 graduating batch. They have questioned whether the continued delay in resolving these matters amounts to retaliation against stakeholders who had raised allegations of corruption.
Among their demands are disclosure of the enquiry findings, clarity on action taken against former Vice-Chancellor Prof Shambhu Nath Singh, fixing of responsibility if wrongdoing is established, release of pending funds and resolution of the delayed convocation. They have also sought a written acknowledgement and response from the Ministry of Education.
The students warned that a failure to provide meaningful communication could lead to escalation of their protest, including a complete shutdown of university functioning. They also said stakeholders could make public documents and evidence submitted before various fact-finding and enquiry committees if their concerns remain unaddressed.
The statutory enquiry followed a prolonged crisis at the university and allegations against Singh concerning financial and administrative irregularities, administrative breakdown, academic issues and his prolonged absence from campus. Student and faculty protests had intensified from September 2025, prompting Centre-level intervention.
On December 31, 2025, the Ministry of Education constituted a three-member panel and directed Singh to proceed on leave and recuse himself from all duties until the enquiry was completed. The panel was headed by Manipur University Vice-Chancellor Prof N. Lokendra Singh, with Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik and UGC Secretary Prof Manish R. Joshi as members.
The panel was tasked with examining all matters related to the situation at the university, including allegations against the Vice-Chancellor. This followed an earlier fact-finding exercise ordered by the Assam Governor, who is also the university’s Chancellor, in October 2025.
The students said their demands were aimed at restoring transparency, institutional accountability and trust in the university administration.
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