Sri Vijaya Puram | February 23, 2026
Amid an intensifying student movement in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands over the past 20 days, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has taken a firm stand supporting the demand for the establishment of a full-fledged Central University in the Islands and opposing any attempt to politicise the issue.
The ongoing agitation centres on the demand for the removal of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed to be University) and the setting up of a Central University to cater to the higher education needs of island students.
In a statement, ABVP asserted that it strongly opposes any individual or group standing against the demand for a Central University. The organisation emphasised that higher education is a serious matter concerning the future of island students and should not be subjected to political manoeuvring.
According to ABVP representatives, the geographical isolation of the Islands compels students to depend heavily on mainland institutions for higher education. They contended that the Deemed to be University model has failed to meet the academic aspirations and expectations of local students. The student body maintained that only a fully functional Central University can provide national-level academic standards, improved research infrastructure, and better employment prospects for the youth of the Islands.
The organisation also alleged that certain political and administrative sections are attempting to divert public attention from the core issue and mislead the community. ABVP stated that it would democratically and ideologically oppose any such efforts to politicise the matter.
For nearly three weeks, students from various colleges across the Islands have been staging peaceful protests, rallies, and submitting memorandums to authorities. The protesting students have maintained that their movement is focused solely on securing the long-term educational interests of the region.
ABVP has urged the administration to take immediate steps to discontinue the Deemed to be University arrangement and initiate the process for establishing a Central University at the earliest. It further demanded that all seven colleges in the Islands be re-affiliated with Pondicherry University until a full-fledged Central University is set up.
With student organisations indicating that the agitation may be intensified if their demands are not addressed promptly, the issue continues to draw attention across the Islands.
