The Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA) has raised serious allegations against the university administration, accusing it of financial mismanagement and neglect of Assamese language and culture. The teachers’ body claimed that the university has not purchased a single Assamese book in the last two financial years, calling it a complete disregard for the state’s linguistic heritage.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TUTA alleged that Vice Chancellor Prof. Sambhu Nath Singh personally influenced the process of book procurement. The association claimed that he approved purchases only from a few Delhi-based publishers, bypassing local and empanelled suppliers from Assam. According to TUTA, this selective approach has excluded Assamese titles from the university library’s collection.
The teachers’ association said that in the financial year 2024–25, Tezpur University received an allocation of ₹6.5 crore under the UGC grant-in-aid for capital assets. Out of this, ₹5.72 crore was sanctioned for the purchase of books and journals. However, around ₹4.56 crore was spent, accounting for almost 70 percent of the total fund, without purchasing a single Assamese book. TUTA said that ₹2.91 lakh was set aside specifically for 146 Assamese titles, but none were procured. 
The association further alleged that the situation has remained the same in the current financial year 2025–26, with no Assamese books being bought. “This reflects a serious disregard for regional inclusion and linguistic representation, undermining the academic and cultural ethos of a central university located in Assam,” the statement read.
TUTA has accused the university administration of showing favouritism in selecting vendors and called for an independent investigation into what it described as “mismanagement of public funds.” The teachers’ body said that such actions damage transparency and accountability in an institution meant to uphold diversity and academic integrity.
The controversy has erupted at a time when Tezpur University is already witnessing growing unrest on its campus. Since mid-September, students, teachers, and non-teaching staff have been protesting against the Vice Chancellor on several issues. The first wave of protests began after Prof. Singh allegedly made disrespectful remarks about cultural icon Zubeen Garg following the singer’s death. Later, demonstrations intensified over the felling of trees and bamboo groves on the campus, which protestors described as “environmentally destructive” actions taken in the name of beautification.
The Sonitpur district administration had earlier ordered a magisterial inquiry into the events surrounding the Zubeen Garg controversy. Additionally, a fact-finding committee appointed by the Assam Governor is said to be reviewing multiple allegations related to the Vice Chancellor’s functioning, including environmental concerns and administrative decisions.
