Hisar varsity reopens Gate 4 after 22 days of protest by students

After being closed for 22 days, Gate No 4 of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), Hisar, was finally reopened on Wednesday morning, following a late-night agreement between the protesting students and the university administration.

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The breakthrough came on Tuesday night when both sides reached a settlement on seven of the eight key student demands, bringing an end to the weeklong sit-in. The most significant outcome of the agreement is the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the role of the university’s Vice-Chancellor (VC) in the June 11 incident that triggered the protest.

The committee will include student representatives and will submit a report based on which remedial action, including possible removal of the VC, may be taken.

While the demand for the Registrar’s removal is still pending a final decision, students said they had received written assurance from government officials on all other points.With the assurance in hand, the student leaders announced the end of the protest and expressed trust that the government would stand by its word.

The reopening of the gate has restored normal movement of vehicles, students and staff, easing the inconvenience that had persisted for over three weeks.The gate was closed on June 11 when a group of students started a sit-in, expressing their dissatisfaction with how the university was handling the situation.

Despite several complaints, students felt the administration had not taken action against those involved in the incident, which fuelled their frustration.

During the protest, student groups submitted a memorandum to university officials, urging immediate action. Reports indicate that students did not wait for any settlement or response from higher authorities but chose to continue their agitation independently.

A member of the students’ committee, who was present throughout the protest, said that they had come to the university to study, but when the very administration meant to protect their rights began violating them, they were left with no other option. He expressed gratitude to everyone who supported their protest — the media, NGOs and fellow students. “This protest lasted for more than 20 days, and in the end, the university administration was compelled to accept our demands,” he said. A female student added, “Even though we had to sit on the road for over 20 days to fight for our rights, the lessons we’ve learned will stay with us for life. Throughout the protest, the police were deployed at the gate, and entry was strictly monitored.