Chief Proctor’s Powers over Student Matters Restricted

Pending Inquiry, Vice-Chancellor to Take Decisions

Varanasi, 10 Oct (HS): The 19-day-long agitation led by the

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Unit,

over a 10-point charter of demands concerning student safety, dignity,

transparency and justice concluded today following the intervention of

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi. The Vice-Chancellor visited the

protest site, interacted with the students on hunger strike and facilitated the

conclusion of the strike after the university administration issued a written

communication outlining decisions and proposed action on their demands.

A key outcome of the agitation is the decision that the

Chief Proctor will not exercise powers relating to student matters until the

inquiry committee submits its report. During this period, decisions concerning

student matters will be taken by the Vice-Chancellor. The university’s

Coordination Committee on Student Matters (CCSM), after several rounds of

discussions with the protesting students, also agreed to constitute an inquiry

committee to examine the booking of Pandit Omkarnath Thakur Auditorium on September

12, 2026, and complaints received against the Chief Proctor. An official

notification regarding the arrangement is scheduled to be issued on October 12,

2026.

The agitation began with ABVP BHU Unit raising a 10-point

charter of demands focused on student welfare and administrative

accountability. Over the course of 19 days, the movement witnessed memorandums,

sit-ins, silent demonstrations, open-mic programmes, Sunderkand recitation,

symbolic demonstrations, effigy burning and mass email campaigns. Following the

absence of decisive action on the demands, an indefinite hunger strike

commenced on October 8. The written communication issued by CCSM, outlining

decisions and a framework for addressing the students’ concerns, paved the way

for the conclusion of the agitation.

The university administration has also agreed to facilitate

appeals by students aggrieved by disciplinary action and conclude decisions on

such appeals. Other measures include improving CCTV surveillance and lighting,

particularly at sensitive locations; ensuring compliance with prescribed rate

lists at campus food stalls; developing mechanisms to restrict reckless driving

and regulate the entry of outsiders into playgrounds; arranging adequate

round-the-clock security in the Madhuban area; and reviewing security guards’

salary-related issues in accordance with DGMS guidelines. The administration

has stated that efforts will be made to complete these measures within 45 days,

while progress on the remaining demands will be reviewed twice a month.

ABVP BHU Unit President Pallav Suman said, “Students have

pursued their demands through a sustained and democratic struggle for 19 days.

The movement was aimed at ensuring student safety, administrative

accountability and justice on issues affecting the university community. The

decision to restrict the Chief Proctor’s exercise of powers relating to student

matters until the inquiry committee submits its report, with the

Vice-Chancellor taking decisions in the interim, is an important development.

The university administration must now ensure the impartiality of the inquiry

and the timely implementation of all written commitments.”

ABVP BHU Unit Secretary Anurag Tiwari said, “The written

decisions issued by the university administration mark an important outcome of

the agitation. The inquiry into the auditorium allotment and complaints against

the Chief Proctor, the provision for appeals against disciplinary action, and

measures to strengthen campus security and improve facilities address several

significant student concerns. The administration must ensure that these

decisions are implemented within the stipulated timeframe and that the

remaining demands receive appropriate attention.”

Following the conclusion of the hunger strike, the students

paid their respects at the statue of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and

subsequently visited Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple to offer prayers, marking the

conclusion of the agitation.

ABVP BHU Unit reiterated that the written decisions must be

translated into concrete action within the stipulated timeframe. It emphasised

that the inquiry must be conducted impartially, the concerns raised by students

must be addressed effectively, and regular reviews must ensure accountability

in the implementation of the university administration’s commitments.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi