Following government pressure to remove party-affiliated student union structures from educational institutions, Tribhuvan University (TU) has said it has not authorised any such groups to use university infrastructure.

In a letter sent to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through the University Grants Commission, the TU Registrar’s Office said party-affiliated student organisations are not officially permitted to occupy university facilities. It said constituent campuses have been instructed to dismantle any such structures currently in use.

On Monday, TU directed its constituent campuses and departments to remove infrastructure used by party-affiliated student organisations. However, the university said the Free Student Union (FSU) structure cannot be dismantled immediately because it is established under existing university laws.

The government’s 100-day action plan requires party-affiliated student structures to be removed from schools and universities within 60 days, followed by the establishment of a Student Council and a “Voice of Students” mechanism within 90 days. The ministry issued the directive to universities through the University Grants Commission after the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

In its response, Mahananda Chalise, TU Registrar, said the FSU is protected by the Tribhuvan University Act and related regulations, making its removal impossible without amendments to the law. Under the Act, two FSU representatives are members of the TU Senate, the university’s highest policymaking body.

However, a recent university ordinance has suspended that provision, removing FSU representation from the Senate. Student organisations and elected FSU officials have opposed the move, warning of protests against any attempt to dismantle student bodies. The issue is currently sub judice before the Supreme Court.

FSU presidents seek Prime Minister’s removal as chancellor

The government’s move to abolish the FSU structure and dismantle student union offices has drawn strong criticism from elected FSU leaders.

FSU presidents from nine Kathmandu Valley campuses submitted a joint memorandum demanding the removal of the prime minister from the post of university chancellor, accusing the government of blatant interference in university affairs. The memorandum was also submitted to vice-chancellor Shushil Bahadur Bajracharya.

Deepak Raj Joshi, FSU president at the TU Central Campus, said the government had acted in defiance of an interim order issued by the Supreme Court, which had stayed the decision to remove FSU presidents from their posts.

FSU representatives acknowledged that party-affiliated student organisations, including the Nepal Student Union (NSU), the All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU) and the All Nepal National Independent Students’ Union (Revolutionary), continue to occupy physical infrastructure on university campuses. However, they argued that dismantling the FSU on that basis reflects a misunderstanding of the legal status of the student body.

Describing the government’s move as an attack on the university’s administrative and academic autonomy, the FSU presidents said they had been elected through a democratic process for a two-year term.

“Just as the Prime Minister was elected by the people, we too were elected through the Free Student Union elections by informed and educated students for a two-year term,” the memorandum said.

The memorandum was signed by FSU presidents representing TU Central Campus, Ratna Rajyalaxmi Campus, Tri-Chandra Campus, Amrit Science Campus, Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tahachal, Patan Multiple Campus, Nepal Law Campus, Public Administration Campus and Shanker Dev Campus.

Student organisations warn of protests

Meanwhile, 10 student organisations affiliated with different political parties issued a joint statement saying they would resist the government’s decision.

The organisations, including ANNFSU and ANNISU (Revolutionary), accused the government of violating student rights, disregarding court orders and undermining democratic principles.

They said the joint alliance had already filed three petitions in the Supreme Court challenging the government’s decision to dissolve student organisations and abolish the FSU, but alleged that the Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission and TU were continuing to implement the policy despite the pending court cases.

“If the university administration does not retreat from its stubborn, unconstitutional and arbitrary actions, the united student movement will launch strong legal, ideological and democratic protests,” the statement said.

The organisations also argued that the government’s actions violate not only court orders but also the constitutional rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression.