Protests Intensify at NEHU: Students Demand Vice-Chancellor's Resignation

The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), a central institution located in Meghalaya, is witnessing a massive upheaval as students escalate their protests against Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla. The agitation, which began earlier this month, is being spearheaded by the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) with support from the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), a prominent student advocacy group representing northeastern states. Allegations of administrative failures, unethical appointments, and a significant decline in NEHU’s national rankings have become the focal points of the unrest.

The Roots of the Protestv

The crisis erupted on November 5, 2024, when NEHUSU initiated an indefinite hunger strike. Students have accused the VC of turning a deaf ear to long-standing grievances such as crumbling infrastructure, delayed recruitment drives, and administrative inefficiency. Under Shukla’s tenure, NEHU’s national ranking dropped from being among the top 60 universities in India to languishing between 100-150.

The student body, backed by NESO, criticized the VC for "absentee leadership" and for promoting individuals deemed incompetent to key administrative positions. This dissatisfaction intensified following reports of alleged favoritism in appointments, including the promotion of an assistant lab technician to the post of assistant professor.

Failed Attempts to Resolve the Crisis

In a bid to pacify the agitating students, the NEHU administration recently announced the appointment of Pro Vice-Chancellors for the Shillong and Tura campuses. SM Sungoh of the Department of Education was named Pro VC for Shillong, while Fameline K. Marak from the Department of Garo was assigned to the Tura campus. However, these appointments were rejected outright by NEHUSU, citing procedural irregularities.

NEHUSU President Sandy Sohtun declared that they would not accept any decisions made by the current VC. He criticized the Assistant Registrar in charge of planning, who issued the appointment orders, as unauthorized to do so. The student body viewed these actions as an attempt to sidestep their primary demand for Shukla’s resignation.

Impact and Current Situation

The indefinite strike has led to a complete halt in academic activities, with both teaching and non-teaching staff refusing to cooperate with the administration. The health of students participating in the hunger strike has reportedly deteriorated, prompting calls for immediate intervention from local and central authorities.

In their latest statement, NEHUSU reiterated their stand that no meaningful dialogue could take place until the VC steps down. They have also appealed to faculty members and staff to join their protest for accountability and transparency.

A University in Decline

NEHU’s current turmoil is not just about one individual; it reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the institution’s governance. The decline in rankings, combined with reports of mismanagement, has tarnished the university’s reputation. Students and faculty alike have called for urgent reforms to restore NEHU’s standing as a premier institution in the region.

Disclaimer

This article is based on reports from verified sources, including The Shillong Times and The Hindu, as well as insights from ongoing developments.

This blog post is intended for informational purposes, summarizing the current situation at NEHU while giving due credit to the original reporting by The Hindu and The Shillong Times. For a detailed account, visit their official websites:

• The Hindu

• The Shillong Times