Guwahati—The final day of the winter session of the Assam Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama as Congress MLAs staged a walkout, accusing the ruling BJP of blocking a full discussion on the escalating crisis at Tezpur University and ignoring issues concerning students.
Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said the Congress had demanded a detailed Zero Hour discussion on the unrest at Tezpur University, where week-long student protests have forced a complete shutdown of academic and administrative activities. Saikia alleged that the treasury bench was “deliberately denying adequate time” for debate, allowing the Opposition only one agenda item while granting two to the ruling side.
Inside the House, Saikia hit out at the government, claiming an “anti-Assam conspiracy” was emerging within Tezpur University. He alleged that the vice-chancellor had been appointed “under the influence of the RSS” and accused him of misusing university funds through “inflated and dubious purchases,” including buying plastic tables and chairs at abnormally high prices.
Saikia also revived a long-standing demand to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six indigenous communities—Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi, and Tea Tribes. Reminding the Assembly that the proposal had been cleared as early as 1996, he urged the state government to ensure that the Centre pushes the approval through both Houses of Parliament during the upcoming winter session.
CPI(M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar also walked out with Congress members, alleging corruption and “systematic mismanagement” at Tezpur University. Talukdar said that if an RSS-backed individual was serving as vice-chancellor, then the organization should be held “equally responsible” for the alleged irregularities.
He added that the agitation in the Assembly is symbolic of a larger movement, vowing that the Opposition would continue its protest until the vice-chancellor is removed.
Meanwhile, the situation at Tezpur University remains tense. Students have enforced a complete lockdown of the campus, halting all classes, administrative work and movement inside the university. Protesters say they will not lift the blockade until the administration addresses their demands, including action against alleged corruption and administrative negligence.
University officials have yet to issue a detailed statement as the impasse stretches on.
