Hisar mahapanchayat: Students threaten university shutdown on June 27, demand V-C’s resignation
The mahapanchayat followed a 14-day standoff between agitating students and the university administration.
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The tension stems from the alleged assault on students by officials and security staff on campus on June 10. (Express file photo)A mahapanchayat organised by students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) in Hisar on Tuesday declared that the university would be “closed” on June 27 if their demands are not met by then. They demand strict action against university officials allegedly involved in the assault on students on June 10, and the resignation of vice-chancellor BR Kamboj.
Students warned that if their demands remain unmet, they, along with members of various farmer organisations, will stage a protest at all four university gates on June 27. “If the government does not meet our demands, we will observe a chakka jam across CCHAU, and all administrative work will be halted,” said Pooja, an MSc final-year student.
The mahapanchayat followed a 14-day standoff between agitating students and the university administration. The tension stems from the alleged assault on students by officials and security staff on campus on June 10. The protest also revolves around students’ opposition to changes in stipend eligibility for postgraduate and doctoral scholars, stressing that such financial support is vital for their academic continuity.
In a show of solidarity, farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Congress MLA Aditya Surjewala, INLD MLA Arjun Chautala, former minister Sampat Singh, and JJP leader Digvijay Chautala attended the mahapanchayat. Addressing the students, Tikait said that Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and farmer unions stand firmly with them. “What happened to the students was wrong. The entire country is with them. If professors and staff resort to lathi-charge on students, agitation is inevitable. The only solution is the transfer of the V-C. Otherwise, the protest will continue,” Tikait said.
In his police complaint, Dipanshu, a first-year BSc student, had earlier alleged that they were attacked twice on June 10 when they were staging a peaceful protest. “At 10.15 pm, we were sitting peacefully near the V-C residence. His car arrived, and following his directions, registrar Pawan Kumar, professor Radheshyam, chief security officer Sukhbir Singh, and university security guards attacked us with sticks,” said Dipanshu in his police complaint, adding that at least eight students sustained injuries. Following the complaint, police arrested assistant professor Radhey Shyam on June 14 and booked seven others, including Registrar Pawan Kumar and chief security officer Sukhbir Singh.
The university administration has also accused students of forcefully attempting to enter the V-C’s office and residence and of assaulting security personnel on June 10. A senior member of the minister level committee and Cabinet Minister Ranbir Singh Gangwa has been urging students not to be swayed by political influences and cautioned political parties against interfering with students’ futures. The committee has also been claiming that the demands of the students have been accepted.
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