PM Shah Directs Immediate Removal of Party-Affiliated Organizations from Universities

Prime Minister Balen Shah has instructed vice-chancellors to ensure the immediate implementation of the decision to remove party-affiliated student and staff organizations from universities and medical educational institutions under any circumstances.

He gave this directive during a three-and-a-half-hour-long discussion held on Monday at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers with vice-chancellors from universities and academies across the country.

Taking a firm stance that politics should not be practiced in educational institutions under any pretext, Prime Minister Shah clarified that no law would hinder the removal of such party-based organizational structures.

He stated that institutions like hospitals, campuses, and schools are sacred spaces where no political party’s flags, influence, or organizations should be allowed. He suggested that those who wish to engage in politics should step away from their professional responsibilities and fully commit to political activities instead.

During the discussion, Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Sanskrit University, Prof. Dr. Dhaneshwar Nepal, expressed concerns over threats and attacks faced while attempting to remove student organization structures.

In response, the Prime Minister instructed that any security issues arising during the removal of political structures should be immediately reported to the concerned ministry or his secretariat.

He assured that the government is committed to providing all necessary support, including security arrangements, and that law enforcement agencies will fulfill their duties. He urged the vice-chancellors to carry out their responsibilities with confidence.

The Prime Minister also directed strict adherence to the academic calendar and instructed that exam results be published within one month.

Similarly, Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Sasmita Pokharel, said that the ministry has already issued directives to dismantle party-affiliated organizations and that no law prevents their implementation.

During the discussion, Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University, Prof. Dr. Deepak Aryal, informed that student and staff organizations have gradually become inactive following the ‘Gen Z’ movement and recent elections.

Vice-chancellors of Mid-Western University, Prof. Dr. Dhruv Kumar Gautam; Purbanchal University, Prof. Dr. Bijukumar Thapaliya; and Far-Western University, Prof. Dr. Hemraj Pant noted that political tensions still persist in some constituent campuses.

Other vice-chancellors expressed that political activities are minimal in their institutions and believed that strict administration could effectively end politics in the education sector.