HT Digital,
Tezpur, 27 Oct: The ongoing protest at Tezpur University against Vice Chancellor Professor Shambhu Nath Singh and the university administration has entered its fifth week. Students, teachers and staff continue to voice their anger over alleged corruption and irregularities under his leadership. The agitation, which began on September 21, has now taken a fresh turn after students accused Singh of destroying the university’s natural greenery.
According to the protesting students, Tezpur University, once surrounded by native trees and lush vegetation, began losing its charm soon after Professor Singh assumed office. They alleged that he ordered the cutting down of several trees on the campus under the pretext of beautification and replaced them with artificial plants. Students said this move not only harmed the environment but also took away the calm and refreshing atmosphere that had long defined the university.
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On Sunday, students marched through the campus with placards and leaflets showing before and after photographs of the grounds. The images showed how the once green landscape had turned barren, sparking concern among environmentalists and members of the academic community. Many joined in chanting slogans such as “Be like Jadav Payeng, not Shambhu,” drawing a comparison between the Vice Chancellor and Assam’s famous environmentalist Jadav Payeng, who is known for planting trees and restoring ecosystems.
Several faculty members also took part in the protest, expressing frustration over what they called one-sided decisions by the administration. They claimed that important actions were being taken without proper consultation, eroding the sense of collective governance within the university.
So far, neither Shambhu Nath Singh nor the university administration has issued an official statement on the allegations. However, sources within the management suggested that the clearing of trees was part of a broader plan to enhance the campus’s infrastructure and aesthetic appeal.
As the protest gathers momentum, Tezpur University finds itself at a crossroads between development and environmental preservation. The debate now extends beyond the campus, echoing through Assam’s academic and environmental circles.
