HAU on the boil: VC in the crosshairs

Amid a prolonged standoff at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, the state government has finally stepped in to defuse the tense situation. For over 10 days, academic and research activities have been paralysed, with students boycotting exams and pressing for the removal of Vice Chancellor Dr BR Kamboj.

Advertisement

With the impasse showing no signs of resolution through administrative efforts, the government has now constituted a four-member committee, including three ministers and an MLA, headed by Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda. The committee aims to initiate dialogue and recommend steps to restore normalcy.

The students remain adamant in their demands: the immediate dismissal of the Vice-Chancellor, legal and disciplinary action against those responsible for the alleged lathicharge on June 10, and action against named officials — Registrar Dr Pawan Kumar, Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh and other security staff booked in the FIR. Director of Students’ Welfare ML Khichar, although not named in the FIR, is also under fire from students.

“So far, only Assistant Professor Radhe Shyam has been arrested,” a student leader said, expressing dissatisfaction over the slow pace of justice.

The crisis took a controversial turn when certain caste groups attempted to communalise the issue. Leaders from the OBC Kamboj community issued a public statement in support of the Vice-Chancellor, citing his caste identity. However, students quickly distanced themselves from this narrative.

“Our agitation has nothing to do with caste or politics. It is a campus-specific administrative issue,” clarified a student leader. The caste-based support faded shortly after, but it exposed simmering societal undercurrents.

Further complicating matters are past controversies surrounding the VC. A faculty member shared documents with The Tribune, alleging that Dr Kamboj violated Clause 25 of the HAU Employees’ Conduct Rules, which prohibits using one's position to secure jobs for relatives.

Despite this, his wife, Santosh Kumari — a Haryana Government school teacher — was appointed as Director of the Campus School on February 9, 2024, with retrospective effect from December 16, 2022. The appointment involved re-designating a non-existent PRO post, without any advertisement or open selection, depriving other qualified candidates.

Additionally, she reportedly drew House Rent Allowance from the government while staying at the VC’s official residence. “She returned Rs 2.73 lakh to the government in June 2024,” the faculty member claimed.

The VC has also come under criticism for his inaction in the tragic case of Dr Divya Phogat, a scientist who died by suicide on October 27, 2023. Despite repeated complaints of workplace harassment — including denial of promotions and opportunities for international training in Mexico and Bangladesh — no serious inquiry was launched, the faculty member alleged. The lack of institutional support, he said, led to her mental trauma and eventual death.

When contacted, VC Dr BR Kamboj remained unreachable. His spokesperson Sandeep Arya said the VC was in a meeting and would respond later.

With the ministerial panel in place, hopes are rising for a fair and impartial resolution.