Letters to the EDITOR: Gauhati University: Protests over Purpose

sentinelgroup@gmail.comGauhati University: Protests over PurposeThe recent controversy at Gauhati University, where students protested against Vice Chancellor Dr Nani Gopal Mahanta over an administrative swap and the removal of Exam Controller Kandarpa Sarma, underscores a troubling trend: a growing obsession with campus movements over academic priorities. While student activism can drive change, the intensity and frequency of such protests at Gauhati University suggest a misalignment of focus that risks undermining the university’s core mission of education.The uproar began with allegations of misconduct by Sarma, escalating into demonstrations outside the VC’s office on March 27, 2025. Students, led by the Postgraduate Students’ Union, demanded accountability, but the situation spiralled into chaos, with Mahanta facing heckling despite attempts to engage the protestors. This follows a pattern, recalling last year’s marksheet scam protests, where student outrage, though justified, oft...