NEHU students, teachers to inquiry team: VC’s return unacceptable

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 25, 2024

Students and teachers of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) met the two-member committee constituted by the Ministry of Education and send a clear message that irrespective of the outcome of the probe, the incumbent vice chancellor Prof Prabha S Shukla’s returning to the university is untenable and unacceptable to them. 

Agitating students under the banner of the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU-NEHU Unit) and teachers under the umbrella of the North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) and other stakeholders submitted documents and representations to the two-member committee, which is probing into the allegations against the VC besides the alleged irregularities and administrative failures within the university.

Speaking to media persons, NEHUSU president Sandy Sohtun said, “We have discussed and presented our presentation on what the VC had done over 3 years and even the memorandums we have written since 2022 to 2024 and submitted to them (govt). We have showcased the documents in which the VC had overshadowed everyone in this university.”

“We have sent a clear message that no matter what the outcome from this committee, we won’t allow the VC to step in this university ever again,” he stated.

Expressing confidence that the committee would recommend positive action against the VC, Sohtun said, “We are satisfied (with the meeting) and we have presented documents that shows that the VC have overpowered and overshadowed the stateholders of the university.”

The student leader however informed that they are yet to discuss on the next course of action and decision would soon be taken at a meeting to be held between the NEHUSU and the KSU NEHU Unit.

“As of now the agitation will go on in which no classes shall be started,” he said.

The agitating students had suspended temporarily their indefinite hunger strike protest following the deterioration of their health condition. 

Terming the meeting as fruitful one, NEHUTA president Prof Lakhon Kma said, “We said what we have to say. There is nothing to hide. Whatever issues we have raised so far from NEHUTA and issues raised by the students, we have impressed upon the team that whatever wrong doing that he (VC) has done in this university since the day he came whether it is a matter of recruitment, whether it is a matter of denying somebody their rights to become Deans – everything that has led to this moment where we are all demanding his removal – I think we have highlighted and I think the association has made it clear that irrespective of the outcome of the inquiry his returning here is untenable and unacceptable to us not only because of the fact that NEHUTA, NEHUNSA or NEHUSU had declared him persona non grata even the Mawlai Town Dorbar, which is a traditional body under the Sixth Scheduled  had already declared him persona non grata, which means he can’t step foot in the Greater Mawlai area. This also we have impressed upon the team.”

“If we look overall, we are satisfied that we could put across whatever we wanted to say which highlights his complete incompetence, the lack of interest in the affairs of NEHU and how he had taken the university to the drain or deep gorge, from where coming out would be very difficult, maybe it will take another 10 years or so but then I think now it is left to the enquiry committee how they are going to prepare the report but we have made it categorically clear that come what may his returning is untenable to NEHU fraternity and the state of Meghalaya as a whole,” he added.