NEHU Crisis: NEHU headed for major showdown with VC Shukla’s scheduled return to campus

Shillong, Dec 1: Come Monday and the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) will once again be in focus as the incumbent Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla is scheduled to return to the campus in Shillong and resume his duties whereas the protest against his ouster continue inside the campus.

While the VC has made his intentions clear to return to the university, even seeking central forces to ensure his security in the campus, the agitating students of NEHU have decided not to allow him to enter the university’s campus for resuming office on Monday.

“We will see what happens tomorrow (Monday) but we will not allow him (Prof Shukla) to enter the campus. We will close and guard the gates of the university,” Sandy Sohtun, the president of NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), informed on Sunday while reacting to the VC’s decision to resume office despite ongoing protest for demanding his immediate removal.

He said that the Ministry of Education had granted 15 days extension to the two-member committee probing into the allegations against the VC but there has been no letter indicating temporary action against him.

“If an inquiry is still on against him (Prof Shukla), we expect that there should be some sort of suspension order but the ministry did not do anything in this regard,” Sohtun said.

“If the VC tries to join office, we will also write to the ministry as we expect some temporary action against him since all stakeholders are against his returning to the university,” he added.

The NEHUSU along with the KSU-NEHU Unit had temporarily suspended their indefinite hunger strike and have made it clear to the probe panel that Prof. Shukla’s returning to NEHU is not acceptable to them.

Recently, Prof Shukla had sought adequate security from the Centre for him to resume office on December 2.

In his letter submitted to the Principal Secretary in-charge Higher Education, Govt of India, Prof Shukla had said, “My leave concludes on 29.11.2024, and I will resume my duties at NEHU on 02.12.2024.”

He had alleged, “It has come to my attention that certain miscreants from various associations of the university, through the in-charge Vice Chancellor, are unlawfully managing campus operations, daily life, and issuing unauthorized orders and circulars.”

“In light of the prevailing conditions on the NEHU campus, I kindly request adequate security support from the Central Government, as the security provided by the State Government has been insufficient. This deployment will not only ensure my safety but will also contribute to the overall security of the NEHU campus and its employees,” the VC had stated in his letter.

He had informed that he had submitted a point-by-point response addressing all four queries raised by the Ministry of Education on 23.11.2024.

Giving a brief report on the incident, Prof Shukla has claimed that the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), supported by the NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) headed by Prof. Lakhon Kma, have created disruptions on campus since October 25, 2024.

He had also alleged that the NEHUTA created hooliganism just before the start of the 113th meeting of the Academic Council on October 25, 2024, thereby not allowing the meeting of the Academic Council.

“After that, they forcefully entered the office of Registrar and Dy Registrar thrashed them out and locked their respective offices. They also entered forcefully into the office of the VC, threatening me with the demand for immediate termination of the Registrar and Dy. Registrar. None of the group has given me any representation/complaint in writing to explain the reason for the removal of both officers,” he said.

“Nevertheless, I tried to explain the official procedures to them and assured them that I would initiate appropriate action to resolve the matter and deflate the situation.”

“As per their demand, I have also nominated a Pro-VC, one for each NEHU campus, and sought the approval of EC as per the provisions in the NEHU Act 1973,” Prof Shukla stated while adding “Despite my best efforts to meet and discuss and come to a solution, NEHUSU and NEHUTA escalated the agitation, put up the ‘Dharana’ in the form of a hunger strike in front of the VC office, and blocked all the entrance gates of the University. They have not given any written notice about the hunger strike. I informed the local administration about the events, including the DC and SP, along with the DGP and Chief Secretary of the State, and sought their help in ensuring the safety of the NEHU campus.”

“Despite that, the two Associations assaulted me and threatened me by attacking my official residence. Due to the situation described above and the unrest caused by both Associations, the functioning of NEHU has come to a complete standstill. University employees are stopped from performing their duties, and they feel unsafe on campus,” he added.

According to him, the atmosphere of fear and disruption is severely affecting the institution’s operations.