Lack of positive response and concrete result from the CIBS administration forced the students to raise voice for their rights again. Even after 23 days, the students are still protesting unabatedly as their dialogues with the CIBS administration, MP Ladakh, the CEC of Hill Council Leh, and other concerned officials and leaders failed to yield any result.

A peace protest rally was organised by the students of CIBS supported by all Ladakh student organisations, religious leaders on August 17. Raising their demand for implementing UGC rules and regulations in CIBS, the rally started from NDS ground and culminated at the Balkhang Chowk in the Leh market.

Thupstan Chhewang, President LBA, addressing the gathering during the protest rally, gave an ultimatum to the UT Administration to resolve the issues of the CIBS within a month. He said that the CIBS issue is not just about students but to the whole of Ladakh.

Thupstan Chhewang reiterated the show cause notice handed over by the Director School Education Department of UT Ladakh to the Director of CIBS on December 1, 2020. CIBS had requested necessary corrective measures within a month from the date of issue of the notice in the letter, failing which the department threatened to take action. Thupstan Chhewang said, “UT administration is quick in issuing the notice to shut down CIBS but unable to solve the issue and make it function properly”.

“Such reaction from the UT administration is sending negative vibes. Are they really serious about the issue? I doubt it can be a plan to erase our cultural identity”, he added.

Padma Tashi, President, Student Welfare Committee, CIBS said, “The deadlines kept on extending to resolve the issues, but nothing has been done so far. The students have been left clueless and helpless. The institute is on the verge of closing down if not supported and work together to protect it”.

“CIBS is not just an institute but a place where the cultural identity of Ladakh is preserved and promoted. The problem faced by the students of CIBS is a matter of concern for everyone”, he added.

CIBS was declared as a Deemed to be University status in the year 2016 for the purpose of the UGC Act,1956, provisionally, for a period of five years under the de novo category by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India (Notification no. F,9-5/2001-U3(a), Date 15 January 2016). As instructed the CIBS disaffiliates itself for its courses / programmes from Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi and Tibetan Medicines and Astrology Department, Dharamsala.

The declaration of CIBS as deemed-to-be-university shall be confirmed after five years on the basis of five successive annual performance reports of UGC Expert Committee(s). This has been notified on January 15, 2016, for publication in Gazette of India, Part-1, Section-1. The declaration made shall be subject to certain conditions, some of which are as follows: UGC Regulations (Institutions Deemed to be University) 2010 amended in the year 2014 and 2015 and any further amendments, and guidelines of UGC issued from time to time with respect to deemed to be University shall be binding on the CIBS.

The non-implementation of UGC Regulation during the last five years has affected the proper functioning of the institute. Today, the lives of students are at stake as the certificates issued are getting rejected at various levels. Some are not getting admissions in other institutes while others are unable to apply for jobs. Students demand the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, examination controller, Registrar for the proper functioning of CIBS. 

The students said, “We are requesting the appointment of authorities to carry out the academic functioning of CIBS properly. It’s been 5 years 10 months we are submitting letters at various levels and are getting only assurances with no outcomes. We are forced to come out on the roads and sit on strike. The strike will not be called off until and unless the issues will not get resolved.”

Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) was given full accreditation with regard to financial support. It came under the administrative charge of the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India in1962. Kushok Bakula Rinpoche apprised Prime Minister Nehru of the need for such an institution for Buddhists residing in the Himalayas.

While announcements are being made for establishing new universities and colleges in UT Ladakh, the existing educational institutes are struggling to function properly. CIBS students are forced to stage dharnas and fight for their rights as the year-old assurances have not been fulfilled yet.