Two government college professors in Tripura have been suspended by the Higher Education Department for serious misconduct. One was caught in an inappropriate act with a student, while the other was involved in unauthorised admissions. The actions have raised questions about ethics and discipline in Tripura’s higher education institutions.
The Higher Education Department of Tripura has taken strict disciplinary action against two Assistant Professors of government colleges under Tripura University for alleged misconduct and unethical practices. The officials confirmed the suspension of both professors on Friday, following separate incidents that have raised serious concerns about the integrity of higher education institutions in the state.
In the first case, Santanu Majumder, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Government Degree College in Kamalpur, Dhalai district, has been suspended for allegedly engaging in inappropriate physical conduct with a female student within the college premises. The incident came to light after a video, reportedly recorded on July 21, went viral on social media, showing Majumder and the student in an intimate act inside the college laboratory.
The suspension order, signed by Raval Hamendra Kumar, Special Secretary of the Higher Education Department, stated: “As per a report forwarded by the College Principal, Santanu Majumder confessed that it was a mistake on his part to be involved in the inappropriate act. Majumder has failed to maintain the sanctity and decorum of the institute and also foiled the poise of the teaching profession.”
The college principal, Abhijit Sarkar, confirmed to media that after receiving a formal complaint, the college conducted an internal investigation. Based on the findings, a detailed report was submitted to the Higher Education Department for further action. Sources from the institution claim that the professor had been involved in an illicit relationship with the student for nearly two years.
The viral video has sparked outrage among students, parents, and the academic community, calling for stricter monitoring and code of conduct enforcement in colleges. The matter has also reignited the debate over professional ethics in public education institutions.
In a separate but equally serious incident, another Assistant Professor, Abhijit Nath of Ramthakur College near Agartala, was suspended for his alleged role in unauthorized student admissions for the academic year 2025–26.
According to the suspension order issued by Special Secretary Raval Hamendra Kumar, the department received media reports suggesting widespread irregularities in the admission process at the college. A preliminary inquiry by the department revealed at least 69 cases of unauthorised admissions were recorded, bypassing the official process mandated by Tripura University and the Higher Education Department.
The order noted that “prima facie it appears that Nath was involved in a serious malpractice, forgery, and gross violation of admission norms.” The forgery has raised questions about the transparency of the college admission process and the involvement of staff members in such illegal practices.
The state Higher Education Department has announced that it will further investigate the extent of wrongdoing in both cases and whether other staff or administrators were complicit. Disciplinary action and legal steps will be taken if more individuals are found guilty.
The twin suspensions have sent shockwaves across the higher education sector in Tripura, triggering calls for tighter institutional discipline and accountability. Student unions and civic groups have demanded the formation of a monitoring body to prevent such incidents in the future.
Political reactions to the incidents have also started pouring in, with opposition parties slamming the ruling government for failing to uphold discipline and ethical standards in government-run educational institutions.
Educationists believe that these two incidents are just the tip of the iceberg and reflect deeper issues of administrative lapses, lack of professional training, and insufficient oversight in colleges.
A senior education official, requesting anonymity, said: “We have taken serious note of both incidents. The department is preparing guidelines for stricter faculty conduct monitoring and transparent admission procedures to prevent any recurrence.”
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As the investigations continue, both professors will remain suspended pending the outcome of departmental and legal proceedings.
