Guwahati, May 26: A massive student protest at Gauhati University over fee waivers and rising admission-related charges ended late Monday night after a high-level discussion between protesting student organisations and Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta.
Students belonging to multiple organisations — including ruling party-backed, opposition-affiliated and independent student bodies — launched a joint agitation demanding implementation of free admission benefits under the fee waiver scheme for the Five-Year Integrated Master’s Programme (FYIMP) and reduction of various university fees.
The protest escalated sharply in the evening when hundreds of students blocked National Highway-17 near the Jalukbari campus, leading to severe traffic congestion and disruption of public movement. Protesters also shut university entry gates, bringing academic activities to a halt.
The situation turned tense as students clashed with police personnel deployed at the site. Tyres were set on fire during the agitation, while demonstrators raised slogans accusing the university administration of failing to address repeated appeals regarding fee concessions and implementation of benefits under the Pragyan Bharati scheme.
Addressing the agitating students late at night, Vice-Chancellor Mahanta appealed for withdrawal of the road blockade, citing inconvenience to the public and disruption of emergency services. He informed the students that he had already discussed the issue with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and that the Chief Minister had agreed in principle to meet a student delegation, though the date was yet to be finalised officially.
In a significant assurance, Mahanta announced that the university had independently decided to provide fee waivers to eligible FYIMP students, even as discussions with the state government on funding support remain pending.
“This is our independent decision in respect of your demands, though we are uncertain how long such a measure can be sustained without adequate funding,” the Vice-Chancellor told the students during the interaction.
He also urged students to continue democratic protests within the campus instead of resorting to highway blockades. “You can protest in my office; there is no issue. But not like this, not on the streets,” he said.
Following the late-night talks and assurances from the university administration, the protesting students withdrew the blockade and reopened the highway.
However, student leaders warned that the agitation has only been temporarily suspended and that stronger protests may resume if the promised measures are not implemented.
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