A four-member committee appointed by the Haryana government met with protesting students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar, but the students remained firm on their demand for the removal of Vice-Chancellor B.R. Kamboj.
The students have been agitating for over two weeks following an alleged assault by university security guards during a demonstration against changes in scholarship rules for postgraduate students. In response to the growing unrest, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini formed a committee on Friday to initiate dialogue with the students.
The committee comprises Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi, and Nalwa MLA Randhir Panihar. Over the past two days, the panel has held four rounds of talks with the protesting students to address their grievances.
Speaking to the media in Hisar on Sunday, Education Minister Dhanda claimed that the demand for the vice-chancellor’s removal had surfaced only recently and was not part of the students’ original demands. He also accused opposition parties of attempting to politicise the protest.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, including Congress, JJP, and INLD, have publicly extended support to the students. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed solidarity through a video call last Tuesday, assuring the students of his party’s backing.
Despite the ongoing dialogue, the standoff continues as the students insist on concrete action, particularly regarding the leadership at the university.
"When this dharna started, there was no demand to remove the VC. We all know from where this demand came," Dhanda said, alluding to the opposition's role behind the demand.
"Most of their demands have been agreed to, but the students have stuck to the demand for immediate removal of the VC," the minister said.
"During the talks, the students said they are afraid of the VC and feel threatened. We cannot understand what they have to fear," Dhanda said.
The protesting students have accused the VC of "brutal repression" and "suppression of rights", claiming that he ordered lathicharge on them.
The students also warned that if Kamboj continued to occupy the post, it could obstruct a fair inquiry.
Replying to a question, Dhanda said, "Our doors are open for the students round the clock. They are like our children. We are not talking to them as government representatives, but as their guardians." "We listened to each student with patience," he said.
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