A strong wave of student unrest has emerged at Tezpur University as students and research scholars submitted a formal memorandum demanding the immediate removal of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh. The memorandum cites multiple allegations of administrative negligence, academic mismanagement, and disregard for student welfare under his tenure.
According to the students, the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership has been marked by repeated administrative apathy and insensitivity to student concerns. The memorandum highlights that the university environment has become counterproductive for learning, research, and holistic development, eroding confidence in his leadership.
A major point of contention arose following the death of legendary singer Dr. Zubeen Garg in September 2025. While the state observed three days of mourning, including suspension of academic activities, Tezpur University proceeded with its student council elections. Students claim their requests for suspension of classes and a common condolence event were initially ignored, and official communications contained mistakes, including misspelling the late singer’s name. When students protested, the Vice-Chancellor addressed them via video call, reportedly making dismissive comments, further intensifying student anger. 
Beyond this incident, the memorandum alleges serious administrative inefficiencies. Students claim that academic standards are deteriorating due to the hasty introduction of programs without qualified faculty, arbitrary termination of guest lecturers, and overburdening of research scholars with teaching duties without proper compensation. Placement services have weakened, financial aid has been delayed, and research support remains inadequate. Laboratories, libraries, and hostels reportedly suffer from poor maintenance, overcrowding, and lack of basic facilities.
Student grievances also highlight excessive fees, mismanagement of resources, environmental insensitivity on campus, and inadequate support for cultural and extracurricular activities. The memorandum accuses the Vice-Chancellor of making derogatory remarks to students during protests, further straining trust.
The students’ formal request calls for a high-level inquiry into the Vice-Chancellor’s conduct, immediate relief from his duties, appointment of an acting Vice-Chancellor with sufficient authority, and restructuring of the student body to create an independent and democratically elected student union. They emphasize the urgent need to reform policies governing student life, hostels, grievance redressal, and council functioning to restore transparency, fairness, and democratic participation.
The memorandum has also been forwarded to the President of India, the University Grants Commission (UGC), the Governor of Assam, and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) for urgent action. Students stress that decisive intervention is necessary to safeguard the academic reputation and administrative integrity of Tezpur University.
