Tripura University Vice Chancellor Faces Nepotism Allegations, Students Protest

AGARTALA: Tripura University is embroiled in controversy after serious allegations have been leveled against its Vice Chancellor (VC) of showing favor to his son and over three of his son's friends in appointments and academic benefits.

Nepotism and corruption charges have sparked widespread indignation among students and jobless youths, resulting in protests on the university campus. Protesters have displayed posters denouncing the VC and calling for transparency in administrative policies.

The controversy turned satirical when a photoshopped movie poster called "Bhaag Gangha Bhaag" became viral on social media. The parody, based on the Bollywood movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, swaps the face of the lead character with that of the Vice Chancellor, apparently making fun of his supposed efforts to escape accountability. The phrase "Bhaag Gangha Bhaag" (Run Gangha Run) has now been used as a rallying call against administrative corruption at the institution.

The Vice Chancellor is, by sources, accused of illegally bestowing his son and his son's friends with influential positions and academic privileges, skipping normal selection processes. The matter attracted more attention after the recent release of a seniority list for professors at the academic level 14, which is said to have several irregularities. Critics contend that favoritism has resulted in undeserving staff members being promoted while deserving candidates were ignored.

University sources say that these appointments and promotions go against the norms established by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Under UGC norms, faculty members should have three years' experience as an assistant professor, a Ph.D. in their field of specialization, at least seven publications—three research papers in journals listed by the UGC—and experience in mentoring at least one Ph.D. scholar to be eligible for promotion.

Nonetheless, whistleblowers contend that these obligatory stipulations were ignored, further compounding worries regarding the purity of the choice procedure.

The allegations have come under scathing criticism from faculty members, students, and activists, many of whom are now demanding a probe by an independent agency. "If merit is sacrificed at the altar of personal relationships, educational and research quality will be affected.

This is not on," said a faculty member who did not want to be named. Protesters maintain that strict compliance with UGC norms is a must to maintain the university's credibility and avoid more administrative malpractices.

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