Sudhanshu Sharma
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers’ Welfare Association (HPUTWA) has demanded the repeal of the Himachal Pradesh State University (Amendment) Bill, 2026, expressing serious concerns over its potential impact on the autonomy, academic freedom and institutional dignity of the university.
In this regard, the association submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, urging him to convey the concerns and demands of the university community to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
In the memorandum, the association stated that teachers and non-teaching employees of Himachal Pradesh University have been registering their protest against the Bill, passed by the State Legislative Assembly, in a peaceful and democratic manner. However, despite the ongoing protests, neither the state government nor the administration has fixed any specific date for dialogue or provided any concrete assurance to address their concerns.
The memorandum also referred to a general public meeting held at the Himachal Pradesh University Auditorium on November 5, 2026. Representatives of teachers’ associations from all five universities of the state, faculty members, teaching and non-teaching employees, former Executive Council members, former Vice-Chancellors, former Registrars, alumni, legal experts, media representatives, intellectuals, research scholars and students participated in the meeting.
During the gathering, speakers raised concerns over various provisions of the Amendment Bill, stating that these could adversely affect the university’s autonomy, academic freedom and institutional dignity. Concerns were also expressed regarding the compatibility of the Bill’s provisions with the regulations and standards prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The association has appealed to the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to put the implementation of the Amendment Bill on hold and reconsider its repeal in order to safeguard the dignity, identity and autonomy of Himachal Pradesh University.
It has also called for an early dialogue between the state government and university representatives to discuss the concerns and demands of the university community and find an amicable solution.
At the conclusion of the memorandum, HPUTWA expressed hope that the state government would take a positive and sensitive decision, keeping in view the interests of the university, its academic traditions and its autonomous character.
Issued by:
Dr. Nitin Vyas
President, HPUTWA
Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
