The government is preparing to deploy security personnel in universities and other educational institutions to dismantle structures of political party-affiliated student unions.

Sasmit Pokharel, Minister for Education, Science, and Technology, summoned vice-chancellors and directed them to ensure the removal of such organisations. The decision, taken at an April 3 meeting led by Dev Raj Adhikari of the University Grants Commission, has now been made public. Thirteen vice-chancellors attended and signed the resolution.

According to the decision, the Ministry of Home Affairs will coordinate security arrangements if challenges arise during the removal of party-affiliated student wings. The resolution allows for temporary or permanent security units to be established within university premises. One vice-chancellor who attended the meeting said discussions were held on requesting the home ministry, through the education ministry, to facilitate such deployments.

Point 86 of the good governance reform agenda approved by the Cabinet on March 27 mandates the removal of partisan student structures from university premises within 60 days.

Within 90 days, a “Student Council” or “Voice of Students” mechanism is to be developed. The meeting also resolved to neutralise the activities of existing student unions.

“Universities shall no longer provide rooms, buildings, or land for student unions to establish offices. Physical symbols, including banners, flags, and wall paintings, must be removed immediately,” the resolution states.

The meeting agreed to repeal any legal provision allowing the partisan student union, with the education ministry set to propose the necessary amendments. For regulations or bylaws, university executive councils or senates have been instructed to make revisions within 60 days.

The meeting also decided to amend laws to replace existing Free Student Unions (FSUs) with Student Councils or “Voice of Students” as the main mechanisms for student representation and welfare.

Student organisations have opposed the move and announced protests. Fourteen unions affiliated with the political parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party, issued a joint statement calling the decision undemocratic.

“The right to associate based on ideology is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal. Any attempt to restrict ideology is contrary to democratic values and international human rights standards,” the statement said. “While restructuring the student movement is a positive goal, any decision intended to curtail freedom of expression and organisation under the guise of reform is immature, apolitical, and unconstitutional.”

The unions said they recognise the need to reform irregularities within the student movement but remain committed to dialogue and cooperation with the government.