THE NEWS DOSE DESK

Hisar/Chandigarh, June 25,UPDATED:4.15PM

After nearly a fortnight of sustained student protests, a breakthrough has finally been achieved at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), Hisar. Following intense negotiations, the Haryana government has reached a broad agreement with the agitating students, paving the way for a phased resolution of their demands.

At the heart of the compromise lies a major administrative shake-up. The embattled Vice-Chancellor of HAU is expected to be sent on an extended leave of six months, a move that student leaders had been demanding since the beginning of the unrest. While formal orders are awaited, sources indicate that the state government has agreed in principle to this step.

The students, who had launched a sit-in (‘dharna’) on the university campus to protest against alleged high-handedness by the administration, including a recent police lathi-charge, have announced the suspension of their agitation. However, they have categorically stated that the protest site will not be vacated until all commitments are given to them in writing.

Among other key outcomes of the agreement:

• Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh is expected to be transferred from the university premises, addressing concerns over mishandling of campus security.

• Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW) is likely to face suspension following widespread criticism of his role during the crisis.

• Registrar Dr. Pawan Kumar and University Secretary Kapil Arora will be removed from their current positions as part of the administrative overhaul.

• A three-member judicial committee, headed by a retired judge, will be constituted to probe the controversial lathi-charge incident and examine allegations regarding the conduct of the Vice-Chancellor and other university officials.

• The government has assured that no disciplinary action will be initiated against any student who participated in the protests, providing relief to hundreds of students who had feared retribution.

• Additionally, all scheduled examinations will be rescheduled, allowing students time to recover from the disruptions caused by the turmoil.

The protest, which had drawn statewide attention, was triggered by a series of grievances related to administrative apathy, deteriorating hostel conditions, and alleged use of force against peaceful student demonstrators. The issue escalated after videos of the police crackdown on students went viral, prompting widespread criticism from civil society and opposition leaders.

With the government’s latest move, there is a cautious sense of optimism on campus. Student representatives have called the agreement “a step in the right direction,” but emphasized that they will remain vigilant to ensure full and timely implementation of the assurances made.