Senior Professor Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya Takes Charge as Acting VC at Tezpur University

In a crucial turn of events amidst escalating unrest, Dr. Dhruba Kumar Bhattacharyya, a senior faculty member, accepted the role of acting Vice Chancellor at Tezpur University on Thursday, December 4. This decision comes as the university grapples with intense protests from students and faculty.

The turmoil on campus intensified following reports of the purported appointment of Prof. Dr. Joya Chakraborty as the Pro-Vice Chancellor, a development that has caused widespread outrage. Although no official announcement about her appointment has been made, students and faculty members have vigorously opposed it, labeling the move as “arbitrary” and lacking consultation.

Dr. Bhattacharyya’s appointment as Acting Vice Chancellor is grounded in the Tezpur University Act of 1993, specifically under Statute 2(6) of the Second Schedule. This statute states that if the Vice-Chancellor’s position becomes vacant or if they are unable to fulfill their duties, the Pro-Vice Chancellor or, if unavailable, the senior-most professor shall assume those responsibilities temporarily.

An official notice from Tezpur University acknowledged the Vice-Chancellor’s prolonged absence, stating it was clear he could not perform his duties, thus activating Statute 2(6). The notice also referenced Section 40 of the Tezpur University Act, which safeguards university officers and employees acting in good faith under the Act and its statutes, shielding them from legal repercussions for their actions taken in compliance with university regulations.

This legal provision is crucial for ensuring that decisions aimed at restoring administrative continuity are both lawful and shielded from challenges. The notice concluded by urging the university community to support the proposal allowing the senior-most professor to take on the Vice-Chancellor’s duties on a temporary basis, thus facilitating Dr. Bhattacharyya’s new role.

Dr. Bhattacharyya, who is highly regarded in the academic community, takes on this responsibility at a critical time when the university has been shut down for six consecutive days due to ongoing protests.

Thursday night saw the situation escalate further as protesting students burned tires and rallied across the campus, chanting slogans demanding the retraction of the alleged appointment and calling for the removal of Vice Chancellor Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh. This dissatisfaction with the current leadership has been a significant factor in the protests.

Faculty members have joined the protests as well, expressing concerns over a perceived “collapse of transparency” in administrative actions. Many have called on the Union Ministry of Education to step in urgently to restore order and accountability in the appointment processes at the university.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/senior-professor-dhruba-kumar-bhattacharyya-assumes-charge-as-acting-vice-chancellor-of-tezpur-university-1313019-2025-12-04?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-12-04 23:30:00