Patna, Aug 19: Teachers and non-teaching staff staged demonstrations at colleges across Bihar on Wednesday against the proposed Bihar University Act-2026, alleging that the legislation would undermine the autonomy of universities and increase government interference in higher education.
The protest was organised at Srichand Udasin College, Hilsa, by the Joint Struggle Front of College Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff. Protesters termed the proposed legislation a “black bill” and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
Raising slogans in support of university autonomy, the protesters said, “Education is not a fiefdom of power, knowledge should be free – universities should be independent.”
They also raised the slogan, “Autonomy will not be compromised,” while urging the government to keep political and administrative interference away from educational institutions.
The Joint Struggle Front said its statewide agitation began on August 11 and would continue at colleges across Bihar till August 25. Similar demonstrations, slogan-shouting and dialogue programmes are also being organised at the Patliputra University campus in Patna.
As part of the next phase of the movement, the Front has announced a student-teacher dialogue and parent-teacher meeting on September 5, Teachers’ Day. Students and parents will be briefed on what the protesters describe as shortcomings in the proposed Act and will discuss its potential impact on universities.
The teachers and employees have urged the state government to withdraw the proposed legislation and respect the autonomy of universities, arguing that educational institutions should remain free from undue government interference.
A large number of members of the Professors’ Association and Employees’ Association participated in the demonstration at Hilsa, including office-bearers and college staff.
The ongoing agitation is expected to continue across Bihar’s colleges until August 25, with the proposed September 5 dialogue programme set to mark the next phase of the campaign.
