Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 16: Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Member of Parliament, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, has sought urgent intervention of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, regarding the ongoing students’ agitation in the Islands demanding establishment of a Central University in place of the proposed Deemed-to-be University.
The MP had earlier raised this long-standing demand of the students and Islanders vide his letter dated 09.12.2025, which was subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. However, no decision has been communicated so far.
Due to non-response from the Government and in view of the forthcoming semester examinations for the academic year 2025–2026, students of all seven Degree Colleges across the Islands have been on peaceful agitation since 3rd February 2026. On 16th February 2026, a complete Bandh was observed across the A&N Islands demanding declaration of a Central University. Shops, establishments, transportation services, hotels and restaurants remained closed across the territory. Such a total shutdown is unprecedented in the history of the Islands and reflects widespread public support.
The MP again brought the matter to the notice of the Prime Minister’s Office on 12th February 2026 and personally met the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, on 13th February 2026 seeking urgent intervention. A separate letter was also submitted to the Home Minister on the same day.
On 14th February 2026, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray interacted with the Chief Secretary at the Secretariat along with a delegation of students. During the meeting, no positive assurance was given. Instead, the students were cautioned about possible imposition of law-and-order measures. Subsequently, an order dated 15.02.2026 was issued by the District Magistrate, South Andaman, declaring the students’ agitation as unconstitutional.
At present, around 6,000 students along with their parents are continuing their strike at the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), Port Blair, pressing their demand for a Central University. Despite the seriousness of the situation, no representative from the A&N Administration or the Lt. Governor’s office has engaged meaningfully with the students. Further, no effective recommendation appears to have been made by the UT Administration to the Central Government for early resolution of the issue.
The MP has expressed serious concern that if the matter is not addressed urgently, there may be deterioration of law and order, including extreme steps by distressed students who have been protesting day and night in open spaces without shelter since 3rd February 2026.
The gravity of the situation is evident from the fact that several young party leaders and PRI members have resigned from their posts in protest. The political atmosphere has also become sensitive following a statement made by BJP State President Mr. Anil Tiwari on 15.02.2026 in favour of the Deemed University during a Union Budget function held in the presence of MoS Mr. George Kurian, which reportedly intensified public sentiment and contributed to the success of the bandh.
In his communication, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has urged the Central Government to take a positive decision to establish a Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, similar to the model adopted for Ladakh. He has further requested that, until the Central University is established, affiliation of all colleges in the Islands may be continued with Pondicherry University, as earlier proposed in his letter dated 09.12.2025.
He has appealed for immediate intervention and issuance of suitable assurance so that the ongoing dharna and protest by the students can be called off peacefully.
