An agitation by the students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Agricultural University in Hisar, one of Asia’s largest agricultural universities, has taken the centrestage in Haryana politics after university officials and security personnel allegedly assaulted protesters on June 10. The subsequent student movement has drawn rare political attention in the state.
For nearly a month, students have opposed changes to the stipend criteria for postgraduate and doctoral scholars, arguing that financial support is crucial to cover study-related expenses.
“Previously, every student securing 70% or more (an overall grade point average or OGPA of 7 was eligible for a stipend. Now, it is restricted to only the top 25%. Additionally, the minimum eligibility for the merit stipend has been raised from 70% to 75% (OGPA 7.5),” said MSc student Abhilekh Dhalla.
Students claimed they were brutally assaulted twice on June 10 when they were peacefully demonstrating on campus. According to an FIR registered based on the complaint of an injured student named Dipanshu, who is in his first year of BSc, at least eight students sustained serious injuries after university officials and guards attacked them with sticks. On June 14, the police arrested Assistant Professor Radhey Shyam and booked seven others, including Registrar Dr Pawan Kumar and Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh.
Dipanshu told the police in the complaint: “We were sitting peacefully in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office at 10:30 am when university security guards attacked male and female students. Three students suffered serious injuries in the assault.”
That night, according to him, the students were attacked for the second time. “At 10.15 pm, we were sitting peacefully near the residence of Vice-Chancellor Dr. B.R. Kamboj,” Dipanshu said in his complaint. “His car arrived, and following his directions, Registrar Pawan Kumar, Professor Radhe Shyam, Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh, and university security guards attacked us with sticks.”
The students then began an indefinite sit-in in front of the university gate and have been visited by senior Opposition politicians in Haryana, activists, and farmer leaders pledging their support. Lok Sabha MPs Kumari Selja and Deepender Singh Hooda of the Congress have backed the protest. On June 14, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala visited the protest site and announced that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi would speak to the students telephonically. In solidarity, the Congress’s student wing NSUI held a protest in Chandigarh on Monday.
On Tuesday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the agitating students via video call. The same day, Jannayak Janta Party leader Digvijay Chautala, accompanied by a delegation of students, met Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya in Chandigarh to advocate for the removal of the university’s Vice-Chancellor.
Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda condemned the assault on the students, stating, “The Congress will amplify students’ voices from the Vidhan Sabha to Parliament. All party MPs and MLAs stand with the students.”
Amid mounting support, the students have demanded the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation, along with the dismissal and arrest of the Chief Security Officer and the Registrar. “We will not leave the dharna venue until the Vice-Chancellor resigns,” Dhalla said. The students are also scheduled to hold a rally in Hisar on June 17, and have invited teachers, farmers, and labourers.
Finding itself on the back foot, the university administration has accused the students of attempting to forcefully enter the V-C’s office and his residence, and assaulting security personnel. It has also blamed them for avoiding meetings with a committee formed to address their concerns. The administration has also placed its stipend amendments on hold.
Following students’ call for an exam boycott, Hisar authorities imposed prohibitory orders on Sunday to maintain law and order. Despite these measures, the university confirmed that only 50 out of 350 students appeared for a scheduled exam on Monday, alleging that the agitators had deliberately obstructed examinations.
With the Congress and JJP throwing their weight behind the students, the BJP government is trying to defuse the situation and get the students to climb down. Haryana Cabinet Minister Rabir Gangwa, the government’s interlocutor, has met the protesters twice. “The government supports students, but they should focus on their studies. Politicians are misleading them,” Gangwa told The Indian Express.
