Congress MLAs walked out on the final day of the winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, protesting alleged irregularities at Tezpur University. They accused the ruling BJP government of restricting adequate time for discussing important student-related issues.
Leader of the Opposition, Debabrata Saikia, stated that the Congress party had requested a detailed Zero Hour discussion on the increasing tensions at Tezpur University, where a prolonged student agitation has resulted in a complete shutdown of campus activities. He criticized the ruling party for allowing only a single agenda item for the Opposition while granting the treasury bench two.
Saikia further alleged that an “anti-Assam conspiracy” is at work within Tezpur University. He claimed that the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment was influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and accused him of misusing university funds through questionable purchases, such as overpriced plastic tables and chairs.
Highlighting a long-standing demand, Saikia urged the government to expedite the granting of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six indigenous communities in Assam. He reminded Assembly members that this proposal was accepted as early as 1996 and insisted that it should be approved in the upcoming sessions of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in December.
Joining the walkout was CPI(M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar, who condemned what he termed rampant corruption at Tezpur University. He asserted that if a Vice-Chancellor backed by the RSS is in charge, the organization must be held accountable for the alleged mismanagement. Talukdar emphasized that their protests will persist until the Vice-Chancellor is removed.
Meanwhile, the situation at Tezpur University continues to escalate, with students enforcing a complete lockdown of the campus and vowing to maintain their protests until their demands are met.
