Guwahati, Dec 5: Bringing an intense 75-day standoff to a turning point, senior faculty member Dr. Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya on Thursday assumed charge as the Acting Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University, following a virtual meeting with incumbent VC Dr. Shambhu Nath Singh.
The decision comes amid sustained student agitation, political pressure, and questions raised in Parliament over the university’s administrative crisis. As the news broke, jubilant students erupted in chants of “Jai Zubeen Da”, celebrating what they called a hard-won victory.
After taking charge, Dr. Bhattacharyya addressed the students, assuring them of transparency and a student-first approach.
“My first priority is the students. We have begun discussions with student representatives. A proper transfer system must be maintained. Let us work together to build a healthy environment and make this one of the top universities in the country,” he said.
The breakthrough follows weeks of unrest triggered by reports of the alleged appointment of Prof. Dr. Joya Chakraborty as Pro-Vice Chancellor — a move that ignited widespread outrage across the campus.
The Tezpur University Student Fraternity launched its movement on September 21, 2025, accusing the administration of disrespecting public mourning for cultural icon Zubeen Garg. Tensions escalated when Vice Chancellor Dr. Singh made dismissive remarks and subsequently left the campus, prompting a united protest by students, teachers, and non-teaching staff.
Through late September and October, the campus witnessed a series of symbolic demonstrations — including a 5,000-lamp tribute and a black-clad rally — alongside allegations of administrative misconduct, financial irregularities, and environmental violations. Two high-level inquiry teams, one from the Assam Governor’s office and another from the Ministry of Education, visited the university during the period.
Dr. Bhattacharyya’s appointment as Acting VC is grounded in Statute 2(6) of the Tezpur University Act, 1993, which states that in the absence or inability of the Vice Chancellor to perform duties, the Pro-VC shall act in that role; if unavailable, the senior-most professor assumes charge.
An official university notice stated:
“Given the Vice-Chancellor’s prolonged absence from the University headquarters, it is evident that he is currently unable to perform the duties of the office, thereby activating the application of Statute 2(6).”
Dr. Bhattacharyya, a respected senior professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, is widely regarded for his academic leadership.
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