Tezpur University Protest: VC behind research setback, financial and hiring ‘irregularities’, allege teachers

On Friday, Tezpur University’s senior-most professor, department of computer science and engineering’s Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya was thrust into the position of acting vice-chancellor by a crisis that’s been unfolding for two years.

Bhattacharyya would much rather be in his laboratory. “I have never been interested in the VC position because I am a researcher – I like to teach and research,” he told Academia360 over phone from Tezpur University, currently shut due to massive protests. He had been acting VC for a year till Shambhu Nath Singh took charge in April, 2023, but hadn’t applied for the full-time job. “I did not apply as I am personally not interested in being a VC. I have my own lab and I have a lot of collaborations; I prefer concentrating on research.”

His position is not firm yet and the designation of “acting VC” must be qualified with “as per university statutes” which require the senior-most professor to assume responsibility when the actual VC is away for over 50 days. Singh has been away for over a month while the campus descended into turmoil, with students, teachers and non-teaching staff joining in protests demanding his removal. The protestors shut down the campus on November 29.

They allege that the present storm has been brewing ever since Singh joined. His derogatory remarks on Zubeen Garg, the much-loved Assamese singer, songwriter and composer who passed away in September, only fuelled existing frustration and anger at his administration. The campus community wants Singh removed from the post, a demand the education ministry, responsible for all central universities, has not yet acceded to.

Bhattacharyya is also awaiting “confirmation” of his position from the ministry. “Though I have accepted, I have not started work because I need proper, concrete confirmation from the [education] ministry. The ministry also contacted me and asked me to wait for a few days to receive the confirmation,” he said. “Just to manage the crisis, I have accepted.” Once the ministry’s blessings are secured, he hopes to “revive” research and “look into students’ comfort”.

Assam Tezpur University: Research and finances

Bhattacharyya said the Assam central university is “into research, mainly” and that “most of the teachers are engaged in hardcore research”.

One of the key grievances against Singh, who previously led Patna University, has to do with his handling of research funding and procurement. The DST-funded PURSE project is a case in point.

In March, the Department of Science and Technology selected the central university in Tezpur for a Rs 10 crore grant under its Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) programme which aims to encourage and fund research in Indian universities. DST funds are so hard-won, this achievement was widely covered in the local press.

In May, DST issued the sanction letter. Then came the wrangling over utilisation.

The project, jointly planned by seven departments, required the timely purchase of advanced scientific instruments costing Rs 7 crore. Teachers allege Singh repeatedly interfered with the process by altering technical specifications and overruling internal committee recommendations. He also allegedly insisted that all 11 instruments be purchased from a single vendor, a move the teachers say violates standard procedures. It was August before teachers understood what was delaying the process and in September, the tender process was cancelled. A fresh round cannot be processed now.

Thakur explained that faculty across departments have struggled because almost all research-related work requires financial clearance — from purchasing chemicals and consumables to travelling for conferences or acquiring equipment. “None of this is moving forward because the former VC had not cleared the files, and he alone had the authority to approve financial matters,” he said.

Teachers allege that problems began almost as soon as Singh took charge. As more alleged irregularities surfaced, the numbers joining the protests swelled.

Tezpur University Teachers’ Association president, Kusum K Bania said that even routine research activity has nearly come to a halt as basic purchases like chemicals or books are stalled. Funds from DST, University Grants Commission (UGC) or Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) went unutilised due to delays. “He kept asking why so much money is needed, even though the funds are not from him but sponsored by the Government of India,” Bania said. “Researchers must have the freedom to use these funds; without that, no meaningful work can happen.”

Teachers also say that Singh, who has led centres dedicated to journalism and media studies, simply does not understand how scientific and engineering departments work.

Tables, chairs, beds and what Tezpur University paid for them displayed at protest site (Image : Special arrangement)

Questionable appointments, ‘threatening remarks’

Teachers also accuse Singh of making multiple appointments that breached regulations.

A finance officer who had superannuated was allegedly given two extensions and allowed to draw a full salary with all benefits. The retirement age for non-teaching staff is 62. “According to the regulations, someone who has retired cannot be given all benefits. They may receive an honorary role, but not full facilities,” Bania said. Despite this, a Board of Management decision enabled the officer to continue with full privileges.

In another questionable appointment, a candidate from outside the university was recruited to its Computer Centre. “As per rules, the director of the centre must be a professor from the university,” explained Bania. Instead, “the former VC created a new position and appointed an external candidate, offering him a salary of Rs 2 lakh per month – a clear violation of established regulations”.

Throughout Singh’s tenure, faculty who questioned administrative decisions allegedly faced threatening remarks or show-cause notices. Several long-serving contractual staff members were also terminated abruptly, creating what multiple teachers described as an “atmosphere of fear”.

“What concerns them most is the long-term damage to research culture, institutional integrity, and public trust in a central university established through the Assam Accord,” Bania said.

Students, hostels, Zubeen Garg

Students have longstanding complaints about the cost of Tezpur University programmes and their hostels.

Two hostels inaugurated this year developed serious problems within just four months – cracks, heavy seepage, and even flooding during rainfall. The students suspect corruption even in the procurement of hostel furniture. “According to the records, a bed costs Rs 18,297, a table Rs 12,000, drawers another Rs 3,500, and a chair Rs 5,200 — figures which are highly absurd,” said Tanay

Pratim Neog, a PhD student in journalism and mass communication and a hostel resident.

Accommodation, such as it is, is inadequate with even three students sharing a single-occupancy room. At the same time, fees are high. Neog said that PhD scholars pay Rs 17,000 per semester and master’s students pay Rs 22,000, whereas students in most other central universities pay Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000. “Here, we are paying double or even triple,” he said.

Add to that the “atmosphere of fear” and students “feel their voices are being silenced,” he said.

Singh’s alleged callousness extended to his handling of students’ and teachers’ sentiments after the death of Zubeen Garg. Dismissing students’ mourning as a “waste of time” and rejecting their demand for postponement, Singh insisted on conducting the student council election a day after Garg’s demise hit the news. “His remarks against ‘Zubinda’ deeply hurt public sentiment. On top of that, we were already tracking financial and administrative irregularities. Together, these triggered the present situation,” said Bania, also a professor in the chemical science department.

Assam Tezpur University library

The university’s library is another area of serious concern. Tezpur University has a full-fledged Assamese department and the language has been declared a classical language of India. Despite this, not a single Assamese book was purchased under the current administration. “A university in Assam must respect its local language,” Bania said.

Under normal procedure, books are purchased from a panel of approved suppliers. “But Singh had overruled this process and handpicked four Delhi-based vendors, saying that only they would supply all the books,” alleged Bania. “This violates norms because procurement of nearly 6,000 books should be distributed across all empanelled suppliers who meet the criteria.”

Departments offering foreign languages, such as German and Chinese, are also suffering. Teachers and students lack updated textbooks, significantly affecting teaching. “He says the books are too expensive and refuses to buy them. Instead, he procures outdated books, sometimes 20 years old, which even the publishers have marked as old editions,” Bania said.

Tezu University: ‘Experienced interim VC’

Teachers now insist they no longer recognise Shambhu Nath Singh as the functioning VC.

Despite this, Singh convened a programme management meeting in blended mode on December 4 and in that, passed a proposal to appoint a senior professor from the department of mass communication pro-vice-chancellor. However, the professor, Joya Chakraborty, reportedly declined the offer.

Faculty members rejected the meeting’s outcomes and on December 5, put Bhattacharyya in the VC’s seat.

“Since Singh has been absent from office for the past 50 days, following the university’s own statute and long-standing practice, we requested that the senior-most professor be allowed to assume the responsibilities,” Bania said.

Teachers and students have submitted detailed documentation in support of their allegations of irregularities to multiple authorities. The first set of submissions, Bania said, went to the fact-finding committee appointed by the Governor of Assam, followed by a central committee led by Vineet Joshi, secretary, higher education, which visited the campus on Friday. But the impasse continues.

“They told us they can’t comment immediately because the removal of a vice-chancellor has a due process,” Bania said. “No timeline has been given so far.”

Singh did not respond to calls or messages from Academia360. If and when he does, this story will be updated with his response.