Tezpur: The ongoing civil rights movement at Tezpur University (TU) took on a vibrant cultural dimension on Sunday, as faculty, staff, and students came together in a powerful procession demanding accountability from the “absconding” Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh.
What began as a campaign against administrative irregularities has now evolved into a unified call for environmental preservation, with the community decrying the large-scale deforestation and ecological disruption allegedly carried out during Singh’s tenure.
The protest, jointly organized by the Tezpur University Teachers’ Association (TUTA), Tezpur University Non-Teaching Employees’ Association (TUNTEA), and the student fraternity, was marked by art, music, and theatrical performances — all symbolizing a collective plea to protect the campus’s once-celebrated biodiversity.
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According to the protesters, TU’s lush green environment — a hallmark of its identity since inception — has suffered serious ecological damage. They accused VC Singh of ordering the felling of several mature trees and bamboo clusters, including yellow bamboo, under what they described as the dubious justification of “beautification.”
Community members also criticized the large-scale grass planting projects initiated under his administration, arguing that they are ill-suited for the tropical ecosystem of Northeast India and represent “cosmetic” environmentalism rather than genuine ecological care.
Drawing inspiration from Jadav Payeng, the “Forest Man of India,” the protesters invoked his philosophy of afforestation and sustainability as a direct moral contrast to the alleged environmental negligence on campus.
“This campus was built on the vision of harmony between knowledge and nature,” said Namami Sarma, a member of TUTA. “The trees that stand here were planted by those who founded this institution. Cutting them down is not just environmental destruction—it is an insult to our legacy.”
Beyond environmental concerns, the demonstrators also renewed their call for transparency and accountability, alleging corruption, academic misconduct, and administrative apathy under Singh’s leadership.
Organizers emphasized that the movement is about more than campus beautification; it represents a broader struggle for justice, sustainability, and institutional integrity. The united front shown by TU’s three major stakeholder groups, they said, reflects a growing determination to restore both ecological balance and ethical governance within the university.
The day-long procession concluded with a symbolic pledge by participants to continue advocating for an environmentally conscious and transparent university administration — one that honors both the spirit of Tezpur University and the ecosystem it inhabits.
