Late-night talks with Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta led to the temporary suspension of agitation over FYIMP fee concessions
Guwahati: A large-scale student agitation at Gauhati University over admission fee waivers and rising academic charges was temporarily called off late Monday night after the university administration assured relief measures for eligible students.
The protest, led jointly by several student organisations across political affiliations, centred on demands for the implementation of fee waiver benefits under the Five-Year Integrated Master’s Programme (FYIMP) and the reduction of multiple university-related charges.
Tensions escalated in the evening when hundreds of students blocked National Highway-17 near the Jalukbari campus, triggering heavy traffic congestion and disrupting movement in the area. Protesters also shut down university gates, affecting normal academic activities. During the demonstration, tyres were burnt, and clashes broke out between agitators and police personnel deployed at the site.
Addressing students during a late-night interaction, Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta urged protesters to lift the blockade and continue demonstrations within the campus. “You can protest in my office, but not on the streets,” he said.
Mahanta also informed students that he had discussed the issue with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and that a meeting with a student delegation was likely to take place soon.
In a key announcement, the Vice-Chancellor said Gauhati University had independently decided to extend fee waivers to eligible FYIMP students despite pending financial support from the state government. “This is our independent decision, though sustaining it without adequate funding may be difficult,” he stated.
Following the assurance, students withdrew the blockade but warned that protests could resume if promises are not implemented.
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