Gaurav Gogoi, the president of the Assam Congress and an MP, has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step in and put an end to the protracted turmoil at Tezpur University, a central institution that its students have shut down indefinitely, causing the administration to cancel the end-term exams.
The students have been agitating since September 22 against the university’s Vice Chancellor, Shambhu Nath Singh, for alleged financial irregularities, mismanagement and lack of responsibility. They shut down all services on the campus, including academic activity, starting November 29.
The students have been agitating since September 22 against the university’s Vice Chancellor, Shambhu Nath Singh, for alleged financial irregularities, mismanagement and lack of responsibility. They shut down all services on the campus, including academic activity, starting November 29.
The student-led protest under the Tezpur University United Forum has received backing from the associations representing the university's instructors and non-teaching staff.
In a letter to the Prime Minister made public on Tuesday (December 2, 2025), Mr. Gogoi underlined the “widespread dissatisfaction” among the students and faculty members of the university.
He added the situation on the campus worsened after Prof. Singh’s alleged insensitive remarks on Assamese cultural hero Zubeen Garg and the university’s inability to honor the State mourning period. A magisterial investigation into the campus disturbances was subsequently carried out by the Sonitpur district administration.
According to Mr. Gogoi, "the Tezpur University Teachers' Association has reported several pressing issues, including administrative negligence, with the Vice Chancellor frequently absent from campus without formal delegation of authority, leading to delays and administrative paralysis."
He noted that the university’s academic performance fell drastically, reflected in a considerable reduction in National Institutional Ranking Framework ranks due to shortages of faculty, halted recruitments and inadequate research support.
“There are also allegations of financial and procurement irregularities, such as unauthorised use of university property, excessive travel expenditure, procurement without tendering and engagement of agencies lacking transparency.
“There are also allegations of financial and procurement irregularities, such as unauthorised use of university property, excessive travel expenditure, procurement without tendering and engagement of agencies lacking transparency.
Appointments and extensions have apparently been made in violation of the Tezpur University Act and Statutes, including the tenure of the Finance Officer and the ad hoc formation of contractual positions,” Mr. Gogoi urged the Prime Minister.
He emphasized that concerns had also been made concerning the quality of freshly constructed infrastructure, with hostels and academic buildings already revealing structural faults, suggesting breaches in oversight and quality control.
“Tezpur University has long been a premier centre of learning in the Northeast, and its current decline underscores the need for immediate intervention to restore academic standards and institutional integrity.
“Tezpur University has long been a premier centre of learning in the Northeast, and its current decline underscores the need for immediate intervention to restore academic standards and institutional integrity.
I demand your urgent attention to the issues stated above and respectfully recommend that required measures be made to solve the challenges affecting the university,” Mr. Gogoi further wrote.
