Protesting HAU students, authorities reach agreement

The agitating students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) called off their 21-day dharna on Tuesday night after reaching an agreement with the district administration.

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In response to the students’ demands, the university has taken several administrative steps in connection with the June 10 incident in which university officials and security personnel allegedly assaulted students.

It includes suspension of Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh, pending disciplinary proceedings. Dr Kamal Dutt Sharma has been relieved from the post of Dean, Post Graduate Studies, and replaced by Dr Ramesh Kumar, Director, Human Resource Management. Dr ML Khichar has been removed as the Director Students’ Welfare and replaced by Dr SK Pahuja.

Besides, Dr Dalip Kumar Bishnoi and Dr Bas Kaur have been relieved of hostel warden duties and Dr Atul Dhingra has been relieved of his additional charge as Officer on Special Duty to the Vice-Chancellor. Kapil Arora, Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor, has been shifted to the Registrar’s office. The university has also withdrawn two recent amendments — concerning stipends and LDV seats —restoring the earlier provisions.

The breakthrough came late Tuesday night after the local MLA arrived at the demonstration site and formally announced that key demands of students would be met. The announcement followed a meeting between the students’ representatives and district officials, which both sides described as constructive. The students expressed satisfaction with the outcome and welcomed the administration’s assurances.

The protest had begun on June 10, after allegations surfaced that students were assaulted while demonstrating peacefully on campus.