The news published in Kantipur daily titled 'Police-administrative attack on university vandals' has exposed the growing political interference, legal neglect and institutional inaction in higher education.

The incident in which those involved in organized vandalism in Tribhuvan University's Vice-Chancellor's office were acquitted with political protection has presented the terrible reality of how weak academic freedom and good governance are in the country's universities.

Student organizations are essentially the bedrock of thought and leadership practice. But if those same organizations appear arrogant to sabotage educational institutions by becoming activists of political parties, the question naturally arises - are these institutions going to create the future of students or to cause institutional disintegration at the instigation of the party? Even when the CCTV footage of the vandalism in the presence of the police in the vice chancellor's office was released, the main accused being charged with indecent behavior and released on bail is a surrender of the state apparatus.

Home Minister acting only after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's instructions and police administration's laxity despite repeated complaints from the university is another glaring example of inconsistency. Although damage to public property is defined as a serious crime in the Criminal Code, here the guilty are getting immunity due to misinterpretation of the law and political pressure. This tendency has raised the suspicion that students studying in the university will be incited to violent practices.

Tribhuvan University is the oldest and largest educational institution in Nepal. Officials here have been forced to work from Pulchok like exiles for 21 days, while the main administrative building is under lockdown. Such a disturbance at the center of education and the silent acceptance of it by the political parties is a deliberate threat to the educational future of the country. Education is not politics, it is the foundation of building the future. Therefore, it is not possible to restore the university's self-respect until they are brought to justice and given appropriate punishment, regardless of who is responsible for the vandalism in the university.