Standoff continues, hunger strike launched; Student Mahapanchayat planned on June 24

The standoff between students and the administration at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU), Hisar, entered its ninth day on Thursday, with the protest intensifying into a hunger strike. Nine students — five male and four female — began an indefinite fast at Gate No. 4, vowing to rotate participants daily until their demands are met.

University offers talks, says demands addressed

Despite the ongoing protest, exams at the university continued on Thursday. Dr Rajbir Garg, Director of Research and university committee coordinator, said 145 students appeared for exams, with 14 postgraduate students from the College of Fisheries Science completing their practicals.

“We have taken the students’ concerns seriously. Legal action has already been initiated where needed. There’s no reason for the strike to go on,” Dr Garg said.

Dr Ashok Godara, president of the University Teachers’ Association, called on students to return to the negotiation table. “Their demands have been addressed. They should avoid falling into political traps.”

He clarified that the decision to remove the VC lies solely with the government. The association, he added, had earlier invited students for dialogue and remains open to discussion.

Meanwhile, the university has stepped up campus security. Police and university guards have been deployed to prevent external interference, with continuous monitoring in place to maintain law and order.

Protest leaders announced plans to hold a Student Mahapanchayat on June 24, inviting participation from student unions, farmer bodies and other civil groups supporting their agitation.

Congress MLA from Narnaund, Jassi Petwar, joined the hunger strike in solidarity, accompanied by farmer leaders.

The students are demanding the immediate removal of the Vice-Chancellor and registration of attempt to murder cases against faculty and security staff allegedly involved in violence against peaceful student protesters on June 9. That day’s events spiralled from a scholarship-related sit-in to a full-blown clash after students were allegedly slapped, beaten and kicked outside the VC’s office, followed by a lathicharge in the evening.

Mohit, an MSc student and hunger striker, told The Tribune the agitation will continue until the VC is ousted. “The administration is trying to divide us by playing the caste card. On Wednesday, we used our own blood to write posters asking whether caste or religion is visible in our blood,” he said.

“They are threatening us with legal action, exam failures, and career ruin. But we are united and determined.” He accused the VC of arrogance and being disconnected.

“The VC hasn’t spoken to students in over two months. When we protested peacefully, his car didn’t stop — it was driven towards us. He’s acting like a dictator,” Mohit added.

A female BSc student said she no longer feels safe in the hostel. “Police, university guards and even male professors enter the girls’ hostel without notice. We’re constantly intimidated and threatened.”

Another student shared that she was forced to sign an undertaking pledging not to protest in order to appear for her remaining exams. “This is dictatorship. We know our rights and won’t give them up,” she asserted.

Kartik, another protester, reiterated that the protest is inclusive and united. “We are not divided by caste. Our only identity is that we are students. We will not leave without justice.”

Support for the protest is growing, with students from other institutions like Khalsa College (Ratia), CDLU and JCD University (Sirsa) joining in.

Sahib Singh from JCD said: “The violence has stained the university’s image.”

Student leader Manoj Siwach said: “No compromise behind closed doors. The VC must step down to safeguard students’ future.”

MLA Jassi Petwar emphasised that the protest is not politically driven. “This is a fight for justice. Students were attacked for raising their voice on scholarships. Those responsible must face consequences, and the VC should resign.”

The core committee of students organising the protest includes Mohit Manderna, Arun Gill, Gurmeet Dhatrawal, Abhilekh, Yuvraj, Rahul Gehlawat, Chakshu, Deepanshu, Harsh, Bijender and a few female students.

Farmer leaders including Balbir Singh, Dilbag Hooda, and Shamsher Numberdar visited the protest site and submitted a memorandum to the Hisar SP, seeking withdrawal of cases against students and strict action against the accused.

They likened the protest to the farmers’ movement and warned against any caste-based narrative being used to weaken student unity.

Haryana Tribune