ABVP Protests Against Ex-Gujarat University VC Neerja Gupta Over Alleged Irregularities

Ahmedabad: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Friday staged a protest at Gujarat University, alleging financial and recruitment irregularities during the tenure of former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Neerja Gupta. Hundreds of students and ABVP workers gathered on the campus, staged a dharna outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, raised slogans, and demanded immediate action against those allegedly responsible.

ABVP alleged that during her three-year tenure, Dr. Gupta approved appointments in violation of university norms after removing several temporary employees and replacing them with individuals of her choice. The student organisation further claimed that these appointments imposed an additional salary burden of ₹10.93 crore on the university.

The protest comes despite the university having already constituted a three-member inquiry committee following an earlier representation submitted by ABVP to the acting Vice-Chancellor. In the latest development, the committee has reportedly recommended the immediate suspension of 10 temporary employees pending an impartial inquiry into their appointments.

As part of the protest, ABVP workers wore garlands made of fake currency notes and carried placards bearing the names of the officials they accused. They also showered fake currency notes outside the office of the acting Vice-Chancellor as a symbolic protest against the alleged misuse of university funds. According to the organisation, more than 300 workers assembled near the university tower and the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

With the acting Vice-Chancellor reportedly absent from the office, the protesters staged a sit-in inside the administrative building. They raised slogans against the university administration, sang Ramdhun, and demanded immediate action over the alleged irregularities. As the protest intensified, university officials, including the Registrar, intervened, while police personnel were deployed on the campus to maintain law and order.

ABVP said the university had earlier constituted a three-member inquiry committee following its representation. However, the organisation expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the inquiry and warned that its agitation would continue until the allegedly irregular appointments are cancelled and action is taken against those responsible for the alleged financial and recruitment irregularities. DeshGujarat