ABVP’s 19-day BHU agitation ends; Chief Proctor’s powers restricted
ABVP's 19-day agitation at BHU concludes as Vice-Chancellor takes control of student matters pending an inquiry into the Chief Proctor.
The massive 19-day-long agitation led by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) came to an end on Saturday. The protest, which centered on a 10-point charter of demands regarding student safety, dignity, and administrative transparency, concluded following direct intervention by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi.
In a significant development resulting from the movement, the university administration has decided that the Chief Proctor will not exercise any powers relating to student matters until an inquiry committee submits its formal report. During this interim period, all decisions concerning student affairs will be handled directly by the Vice-Chancellor.
Victory for Student Demands
The agitation, which escalated into an indefinite hunger strike on October 8, saw students employing various methods of protest, including sit-ins, silent demonstrations, symbolic effigy burning, and mass email campaigns. The standoff finally eased after the Vice-Chancellor visited the protest site and interacted with the students on hunger strike.
The university’s Coordination Committee on Student Matters (CCSM) issued a written communication outlining specific actions to address the students' grievances. Key outcomes include:
- Inquiry into Chief Proctor: A committee will be formed to investigate complaints against the Chief Proctor and the circumstances surrounding the booking of the Pandit Omkarnath Thakur Auditorium on September 12, 2026.
- Disciplinary Appeals: The administration has agreed to facilitate a process where students aggrieved by disciplinary actions can file appeals.
- Campus Security: Plans are in place to improve CCTV surveillance and lighting in sensitive areas, and to provide 24-hour security in the Madhuban area.
- Campus Facilities: Measures will be taken to ensure food stalls follow prescribed rate lists and to regulate outsider entry into playgrounds and curb reckless driving.
Timeline for Implementation
The university administration has committed to completing the primary security and facility measures within 45 days. For the remaining demands, the administration has promised to review progress twice a month to ensure accountability.
ABVP BHU Unit President Pallav Suman noted that the restriction of the Chief Proctor's powers is a major milestone. "The movement was aimed at ensuring student safety and administrative accountability. The university administration must now ensure the impartiality of the inquiry and the timely implementation of all written commitments," Suman stated.
Anurag Tiwari, Secretary of the ABVP BHU Unit, added that while the written decisions are a positive outcome, the focus must now shift to strict adherence to the stipulated timeframes. Following the end of the hunger strike, students concluded their protest by paying respects at the statue of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.