Tezpur University Students Allege Misconduct by Vice-Chancellor, Demand Judicial Investigation

They allege that a student protesting against him was threatened in a manner “akin to a death threat.”

Digital Desk: The Tezpur University Students’ Union addresses a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club, raising serious allegations against  the present Vice-Chancellor of the university;  Shambhunath Singh.

The student community accuses the university management of failing to  pay tribute  following the untimely death of  Zubeen Garg . They also point out that despite holding the Students’ Unity General Election recently, the administration continues to function in an authoritarian manner under the Vice-Chancellor.

As per student representatives, Shambhunath Singh has been frequently absent from the university since the day he assumed office. They also raise questions regarding the authenticity of his doctoral degree.

They claim that a court has already issued a ruling stating that Singh should not be appointed as Vice-Chancellor, yet the Ministry of Education has still entrusted him with the position.

The Students Union accuses the Vice-Chancellor of embezzling funds of amounting to several crores within the university. They allege that a student protesting against him was threatened in a manner “akin to a death threat.”

Despite 57 days of continuous protests, the inquiry committee has not submitted its report, prompting the students to demand the formation of a Judicial Investigation Commission.

They also argue that because of the alleged negligence of the Vice-Chancellor, students at the university have been denied benefits by the National Scholarship Scheme. The academic qualifications of Singh have also been questioned and the union claimed that no information or research papers about his PhD are accessible online.

The student body has submitted a memorandum to the President of India, while the conscious citizens of Tezpur have also sent their own memorandum. The students have raised concerns that have reportedly been forwarded from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Ministry of Education for further review.