[ Prem Chetry ]

DAHUNG, 1 Sep: Students of the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) began an indefinite hunger strike here in West Kameng district on Monday over the non-fulfilment of their demand for the resignation of the CIHCS director and its account & administrative officer.

When asked about the demand, the students said that the demand for resignation is not based merely on whether individual demands are being fulfilled at present. "It is rooted in a larger concern regarding the direction, functioning and future of the

CIHCS, and to understand our demand, it is important to understand the background and purpose for which the CIHCS was established," they said.

The students said that the institution was founded with the vision of preserving, promoting and developing the rich cultural heritage, Buddhist traditions, languages and traditional knowledge of the Himalayan region. The vision of the late 13th Tsona Gontse Rinpoche, the founder of the institution, was to create a centre where the younger generation could receive higher education and develop deeper knowledge of Himalayan culture and Buddhist philosophy while also having access to modern education.

They said that the students feel that the institute is gradually moving away from this original vision.

"In particular, there are concerns regarding the present academic structure and curriculum. From the earlier stages of education, including Classes 9 and 10, greater emphasis is being placed on modern subjects, while adequate focus on cultural studies is, in our view, not being maintained," the students said.

Meanwhile, CIHCS Director Dr Gurmet Dorjey said that, as far as the administration is concerned, several genuine concerns raised by the students have been considered and addressed to the extent permissible under the rules and institutional framework.

"Therefore, the continued demand for the resignation of designated officers appears to go beyond the substantive academic or administrative issues initially raised," he said, adding, "It is believed that grievances should be addressed through dialogue and due process, and as per government norms. The resignation of officers cannot by itself provide a sustainable solution to academic or administrative issues," Dorjey said.

"I have made every possible effort to resolve the matter amicably, including through consultations at the highest levels of the state and central governments. Most recently, a high-level meeting was held on 31 August under the chairmanship of the secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, wherein multiple options were placed before the student representatives for an amicable resolution. However, the representatives did not agree to any of the options offered," he added.

"In my view, constructive dialogue, due process and a fact-based approach are far more conducive to safeguarding the interests of the students and the institute than insisting upon the resignation of functionaries," the director said.

On the other hand, the students stated that their grievances are based on serious concerns for the future of the CIHCS. The students said that if students who come to the institution with the expectation of pursuing higher studies in Himalayan culture, Buddhist philosophy, language and related fields have to devote a substantial amount of their academic time to modern subjects, their opportunity to develop deeper expertise in the institution's core cultural subjects may be reduced.

"Therefore, our demand for the resignation of the director and the account and administrative officer is connected to our broader concern about the leadership and direction of the institution and whether the present administration is adequately implementing the founding vision of the CIHCS," the students stated.

They further said that there are also longstanding concerns regarding student facilities. Students have raised issues related to hostel facilities, library resources, and other basic academic requirements. Similar concerns were raised during the students' protest in September 2022, when assurances were given regarding the fulfilment of the students' demands.

According to the students, several of those concerns remain unresolved even today, which forced the students to make the present demand. They said the demand should be understood as a demand for institutional accountability, improvement and leadership capable of taking the CIHCS forward in accordance with its founding vision, rather than as a demand arising from a single unresolved issue.

When asked, the students' union said that it believes a change in leadership can provide an opportunity for a fresh beginning and for the competent authorities to appoint an administration that is more responsive to students and more closely aligned with the founding objectives of the CIHCS.

"Our objective is not to remove individuals simply for the sake of removing them," the students said. They said they want an administration that can ensure protection and promotion of Himalayan cultural studies and Buddhist philosophy, a balanced and appropriate academic curriculum, improvement of hostel and library facilities, better academic and educational standards, transparency and accountability in administration, meaningful consideration of students' legitimate concerns, and proper implementation of the founding vision of the CIHCS.

"If the institution is not progressing satisfactorily under the present leadership and is gradually moving away from its original purpose, students believe that a change in leadership should be considered in the larger interest of the institution. We therefore see the resignation demand as a means of seeking institutional reform and a renewed direction for the CIHCS, rather than as a personal matter against the officers concerned," the students' union stated.

When asked, the students said that they have raised several serious concerns regarding the functioning and administration of the institution. However, they did not wish to make personal allegations or accusations that have not been properly established through an appropriate inquiry.

They added that their concerns primarily relate to the administration, academic direction, implementation of the institute's objectives, student facilities, transparency and accountability.

The fact that students have had to raise concerns regarding the administration on more than one occasion is itself a matter that, in their view, deserves serious consideration by the competent authorities. Similar issues were raised during the 2022 student protest, and students believe that some of the concerns raised at that time remain unresolved.

The union appealed to the competent authorities to objectively examine the functioning of the CIHCS, review the concerns raised by the students, assess whether the institution is progressing according to its founding objectives, and take appropriate action in the larger interest of the institute.

Meanwhile, the director said that a 22-point complaint has been circulated publicly on social media since the beginning of the present episode and is available in the public domain. Therefore, the nature and seriousness of the issues raised can be assessed independently by anyone by examining the complaint and the facts available.

He further said that it may also be pertinent to place on record that, at the time of his joining the CIHCS, the institute had a very limited physical and institutional presence, including the absence of land registered in its own name. Since then, substantial progress has been made in infrastructure, academic facilities and overall institutional development. "The extent of this transformation is tangible and can be independently verified by anyone visiting the institute campus," he said.

"I believe that the performance and development of an institution should be assessed on the basis of verifiable facts, records and outcomes, rather than on allegations or perceptions alone," the director added.