Background of the Protests
On June 10, 2025, students at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) in Hisar launched a protest against revised scholarship rules for postgraduate and doctoral students. The new policy limited stipends to the top 25% of students and increased the eligibility threshold from 70% marks (OGPA 7.0) to 75% (OGPA 7.5). Students argued that these changes would severely impact their ability to fund their studies, as scholarships are critical for covering academic expenses.
The situation turned violent when university security guards and an assistant professor allegedly attacked students during a peaceful dharna outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office, injuring approximately 20 protesters. This incident fueled widespread anger, leading to demands for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Baldev Raj Kamboj, the arrest of those involved in the assault, and the reversal of the scholarship policy.
Student Protests at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
Boycott Impacts Examinations – Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
As a form of protest, students called for an exam boycott, significantly affecting academic activities. On June 16, 2025, only 34 out of 100 scheduled students appeared for an examination, according to university reports. The low participation rate, with just 34% of students attending, underscored the strength of the protest movement and the students’ resolve to press their demands. The university administration alleged that protesters obstructed examinations, while students maintained their boycott was a peaceful expression of dissent against the administration’s policies and the violent crackdown.
Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University-University’s Response
The university also claimed that students attempted to forcibly enter the Vice-Chancellor’s office and residence, justifying the security measures. Despite these claims, the administration placed the scholarship amendments on hold and formed a committee to address the students’ concerns, though protesters rejected initial offers and continued their dharna.
Digvijay Chautala’s Involvement
On June 14, Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) leader Digvijay Chautala visited the HAU campus to express solidarity with the protesting students. Addressing the crowd, Chautala emphasized that his support was apolitical and urged students to keep the movement free from political influence. He criticized Vice-Chancellor Kamboj, calling him “arrogant and unfit” for the role, and promised to escalate the issue to higher authorities. Chautala met with a delegation of students and announced plans to seek a meeting with Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya to demand the Vice-Chancellor’s removal.
Advocacy for Students
Chautala condemned the lathi-charge on students, stating that the incident could not be dismissed by merely filing FIRs against a few individuals. He alleged that the assault was carried out on the Vice-Chancellor’s orders, implicating multiple security personnel. His visit amplified the protest’s visibility, drawing further attention from opposition parties and the public.
Congress Pledges to Raise Issue in Parliament
- Mallikarjun Kharge’s Support
On June 17, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spoke to the protesting students via video call, assuring them of the party’s full support. Kharge promised to raise the issue during the monsoon session of Parliament, highlighting the scholarship cuts, the lathi-charge, and the reduction of LDV (Land Donated Village) seats. He invited students to Delhi to discuss their concerns in detail, ensuring their grievances would be addressed at the national level.
- Other Congress Leaders’ Involvement
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, MP Kumari Selja, and Deepender Singh Hooda also backed the students. Hooda condemned the assault as “intolerable” and vowed that Congress would amplify the students’ voices from the Haryana Vidhan Sabha to Parliament. Selja visited the protest site multiple times, criticizing the BJP government for suppressing dissent. Deepender Hooda alleged police misconduct, including male officers entering a girls’ hostel in Bawal to intimidate students. Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala shared Kharge’s interaction on X, further publicizing the issue.
- Ongoing Protests and Demands
As of June 18, 2025, the students’ dharna continues, with protesters refusing to relent until their core demands are met. These include the Vice-Chancellor’s resignation, the arrest of Registrar Pawan Kumar, Chief Security Officer Sukhbir Singh, and others involved in the June 10 assault, and a complete rollback of the scholarship changes. The university has suspended and arrested the assistant professor involved, but students deem these actions insufficient. Meanwhile, 35 protesters face FIRs under serious charges, escalating tensions.
- Political Backlash
The protests have put the BJP government in Haryana on the defensive, with opposition parties like Congress, JJP, and INLD rallying behind the students. Haryana Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa, tasked with negotiating, met protesters twice but failed to resolve the issue, accusing opposition parties of misleading students. The involvement of prominent leaders like Kharge and Chautala has turned the HAU protests into a significant political issue, with potential implications for the state’s political landscape.
- Broader Support
On June 18, reports emerged of OBC groups expressing support for Vice-Chancellor Kamboj, adding a new layer of complexity to the conflict. The protests have drawn rare political attention in Haryana, highlighting issues of student rights and administrative accountability at one of Asia’s largest agricultural universities.
Student Protests at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University
