All stakeholders of Tezpur University began a 24-hour hunger strike on Monday, marking 100 days of protests against alleged irregularities involving Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh, with no resolution in sight.

The central university, located in Assam’s Sonitpur district, has faced sustained agitation since mid-September. Protests intensified from 29 November after a joint forum of students, teachers and non-teaching staff demanded the removal of the Vice-Chancellor and a formal inquiry into allegations of corruption and administrative irregularities.

The Tezpur University United Forum (TUUF) said that despite 100 consecutive days of peaceful protests, memoranda and appeals, authorities have not provided any concrete assurance regarding action against the Vice-Chancellor.

According to TUUF, the prolonged absence of the Vice-Chancellor and continued inaction by authorities have led to administrative paralysis and erosion of public confidence in the institution.

The hunger strike, organised by the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association, Tezpur University Non-Teaching Employees’ Association and the student community, began at midnight on Monday and will continue until 11.59 pm.

The forum said the protest aims to draw national attention to what it described as a failure of institutional governance and accountability, adding that the issue extends beyond the university to the credibility of public institutions.

Tensions on campus escalated in September following allegations that the Vice-Chancellor and university authorities failed to show due respect to cultural figure Zubeen Garg during a period of public mourning. The university community is also protesting against alleged fiscal irregularities and environmental damage on campus, including deforestation.

The Vice-Chancellor has remained away from the campus since 22 September, following heated exchanges with students. Since the protests began, at least 11 faculty members and senior officials have resigned from their posts or from the university.

Inputs from PTI

Also Read: NESO demands capital punishment for those responsible for killing Tripura student