MITCRM seek President’s intervention for removal of NEHU VC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 1, 2024

A conglomeration of traditional headmen, women’s groups, and other civil organizations from Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills, under the banner of the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribes Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCRM), has requested the intervention of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, for the immediate removal of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, citing alleged mismanagement and administrative failures that led to the present crisis in the university.

Submitting a letter to Murmu, who is also the Visitor of NEHU, the MITCRM informed that it has resolved to stand in solidarity with the agitating students and staff of NEHU and has endorsed all their demands in the interest of the institution, the state, and the Northeast region at large, in its meeting held on November 14.

“Observing the adamant and inhumane approach of the Vice-Chancellor toward the agitating students, which should have been dealt with sensitively, MITCRM declares Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, a persona non grata, and our organization calls for a total boycott of the concerned person in the entire state of Meghalaya,” the letter stated.

The letter added, “Prof. Shukla neither understands nor makes an effort to understand the tribal ethics, way of life, customs, and cultures of Meghalaya and the Northeast. Contrarily, he has tried to suppress and downplay them all. Therefore, he is devoid of the ethics that an academician should carry. In fact, his behavior often goes against the interests of the indigenous tribes and reflects an unpleasant agenda that is detrimental to the institution and society if unchecked.”

The MITCRM further stated, “Having thoroughly deliberated on all aspects of the Vice-Chancellor’s behavior, we call for his immediate removal. We seek your valuable intervention in this regard before things turn ugly.”

The letter acknowledged some recent positive developments, including the incumbent VC’s decision to go on leave, allowing a new acting VC to take charge. However, it noted that students, though welcoming the move, decided on November 19, 2024, to only suspend their fast during the inquiry period being conducted by a two-member committee constituted by the Ministry of Education. The students anticipate that this inquiry will ultimately result in the removal of the Vice-Chancellor.

The university is witnessing ongoing protests led by the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU), backed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU-NEHU Unit), demanding the immediate removal of the present VC.

Earlier, the students had temporarily suspended their indefinite hunger strike after many were hospitalized due to deteriorating health following 16 days of fasting.