Haryana Agricultural University students demand VC's resignation over violent crackdown

A wave of student unrest has gripped Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, following a violent crackdown on protesting students which left about 20 students injured on June 10.

In the aftermath of the incident, a student who has been sitting on an indefinite dharna has demanded the immediate resignation of Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Raj Kamboj, holding him responsible for failing to protect students and abusing his authority. Students have also called for the arrest and dismissal of Prof Radheshyam, who they allege physically assaulted several protesters, causing severe injuries.

Besides, the students have also sought the removal and prosecution of Registrar Dr Pawan Kumar, Director of Student Welfare Dr ML Khichar, and Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh over violence on students on the campus.

The students have been staging a demonstration, urging the university authorities to roll back the controversial amendment which has resulted in scholarship reductions, and to reinstate the original structure in line with ICAR norms.

Violence to be probed

Vice-Chancellor Dr BR Kamboj couldn't be contacted despite repeated attempts. Agriculture college Dean Dr SK Pahuja said they were in contact with the students and also met the injured students in the hospital. Urging the students to approach the university authorities for discussions, he said an inquiry would be conducted into the incident of violence and action would follow later on.

Congress MP (Sirsa) Kumari Selja who met the agitating students today said the incident of lathicharge reflected the dictatorial attitude of the university authorities. She urged Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to take urgent cognisance of the incident of serious injuries inflicted on the students. “I came to know that the attempts are being made to hush up the incident which is a criminal act. I urge the Hisar SP to take a serious note of the matter and to show sensitivity in this matter. The police should not set any wrong precedence,” she said, adding that entire responsibily of the incident lies with the Vice-Chancellor.

The events unfolded after students began a peaceful sit-in outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office on June 10, 2025. Shaken by the events, students today submitted formal complaints to the President, the Chief Justice of India and the Prime Minister. “We feel helpless, fearful, and psychologically distressed,” wrote the students, pleading for intervention and justice.

Olympics medallist and Congress leader Bajrang Punia also met the injured students. He said he stood by the students and demanded the university authorities to accept all demands of the students. Punia said the state government should immediately intervene and dismiss the officials of the university whosoever was found responsible for the alleged assault on the peacefully protesting students.