Massive Maha-Dharna Under the Banner of TMBU Guest Teachers' Association at the Administrative Building; Outrage Erupts Against the New Appointment Rules-2026 and Proposed University Act, Call to Save University Autonomy

Massive Maha-Dharna Under the Banner of TMBU Guest Teachers' Association at the Administrative Building; Outrage Erupts Against the New Appointment Rules-2026 and Proposed University Act, Call to Save University Autonomy

Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: The campus of Tilka Manbh Bhagalpur University (TMBU) in Silk City Bhagalpur has recently become the primary epicenter of policy shifts and protests concerning higher education. In opposition to the proposed new University Act introduced by the state government for operating universities and the new Appointment Rules-2026 formulated for the recruitment of assistant professors, a grand and aggressive Maha-Dharna was organized on Tuesday in front of the university administrative building under the banner of the TMBU Guest Teachers' Association. This massive protest witnessed not only large-scale participation by guest teachers and research scholars, but also open support from college teacher associations, Senate and Syndicate members, alongside the university's non-teaching employee association, fourth-grade employee association, and the regional unit of the Bihar State University and College Employees Federation.

Anti-Government Slogans Echo in the Administrative Building Premises

Since Tuesday morning, teachers and employees began gathering outside the TMBU administrative building. Arriving with demands written on placards and black armbands tied around their arms, the teachers raised vehement slogans against the policies of the government and the education department. The protesters clearly stated that the government is conspiring to dismantle university autonomy, which will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Presiding over the Maha-Dharna, Association President Dr. Anand Azad stated that the new Appointment Rules-2026, formulated by sidelining UGC Regulations-2018, are entirely illegal. He stated unequivocally that if the government does not abandon this stubborn stance, the protest will be expanded and intensified across universities in Bhagalpur and throughout Bihar. The proceedings of the Maha-Dharna were expertly conducted by Dr. Pawan Kumar, while Dr. Anand Saumitra delivered the vote of thanks.

Serious Questions Raised Over the New Appointment Rules and Proposed Act

During the dharna, speakers unanimously highlighted the flaws of the new rules and proposed act introduced by the government:

Open Violation of UGC Rules: Speakers alleged that the new appointment rules run contrary to established UGC standards. Setting separate standards for permanent and contract-based teachers and making drastic changes in the selection process is a direct violation of central higher education regulations.

Outrage Over Reduction in Age Limit: Guest teachers pointed out that under the new rules, the maximum age limit for applications has been slashed drastically, whereas the previous limit was 55 years. This jeopardizes the future of qualified teachers who have rendered their services for years.

Attack on University Autonomy: Syndicate member Dr. Mrityunjay Singh Ganga stated in his address that universities are not merely degree-distributing institutions, but centers of high-level teaching, research, curriculum development, and intellectual growth. The proposed act will have an adverse impact on all these academic activities.

Service Regularization and Core Demands

Through the protest, the association and supporting intellectuals placed the following core demands before the government:

The permanent service regularization of guest teachers who have been working with utmost dedication for years across various state universities.

The maximum age limit for appointments should be restored to 55 years.

The new Appointment Rules-2026 and the proposed University Act should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Old and transparent selection processes (such as API score and interview-based systems) should be reinstated.

Support from Various Organizations and Deployment of Heavy Police Force

Contributing their perspectives to ensure the success of this Maha-Dharna were Senator Ranjeet Kumar, Asim Kumar, Sushil Mandal, Dr. Sweety Kumari, Dr. A.K. Dutta, Dr. Divya Rani, Dr. Anand Kumar, Dr. Noorjahan, Dr. Pritam Kumar, Dr. Sarpraj Ramanand Sagar, Dr. Aditya Narayan, Dr. Avinash Kumar, Sports Secretary Dr. Sanjay Kumar Jaisawal, Dr. Mushfiq Alam, and Dr. Nirlesh Kumar, alongside a large gathering of regular and retired teachers and female faculty members.

Strict security arrangements were deployed around the university campus and administrative building to handle any potential untried situations or law-and-order issues. Alongside University Police Station personnel, additional anti-riot squads from the police lines and a large number of female police officers were also deployed.

This Maha-Dharna organized under the banner of the TMBU Guest Teachers' Association serves as a clear indication that widespread discontent prevails among Bihar's teaching community regarding the new appointment rules and administrative changes. The coming together of employees and various teacher associations on a single platform is making this movement increasingly severe. If the government fails to take a positive decision in a timely manner, the higher education environment could witness further conflict in the days ahead.