Eight student unions affiliated with the agitating political parties and professors working at the Tribhuvan University (TU) have denounced the university administration’s decision to extend the winter vacation in all affiliate campuses in Kathmandu Valley by 11 days.

After a meeting in Kathmandu, the eight student organizations stated that the decision of the TU administration was taken “at the behest of the government” which is conducting municipal elections on February 8 despite boycott from major political parties. A joint statement issued by the student unions said the TU’s decision is against the rights of students..

They also warned to launch protest programs if the decision was not withdrawn immediately.

The TU administration on Sunday announced to extend the winter vacation, which ended today (Sunday), until February 9, considering the upcoming municipal polls. There are over 50 thousand students studying in the university campus and various affiliate public and private colleges.

Meanwhile, the Free Students Unions (FSU) of various campuses in the Kathmandu Valley including Tribhuvan University, Nepal Commerce Campus and Patan Multiple Campus also opposed the TU administration’s “politically-motivated” decision, demanding withdrawal of the decision.

Similarly, the TU unit of the Nepal University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) in a statement said the administration’s decision is against the interest of students.

“The politically-biased decision of the TU administration will also affect the academic calendar,” a statement issued by NUTA’s TU unit said.