The ongoing leadership crisis at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has escalated as faculty, staff, and students have set a 48-hour deadline for the Union Education Ministry to respond failing which the clause 2A51 to be invoked to appoint an acting Vice-Chancellor in the absence of VC P.S. Shukla.
The demand was made during an emergency meeting convened by the registrar in charge on Monday, chaired by senior-most professor Prof. N. Saha, and attended by representatives of the North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA), North-Eastern Hill University Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA), and North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU).
NEHUTA president Prof. Lakhon Kma expressed concern over the leadership vacuum, stating, “In a university, you cannot have the VC’s chair vacant even for a day.” He called the situation “unprecedented” and alleged that the vice-chancellor was “absconding,” rejecting his claim of having resumed duties online. “Under any rule of the Government of India, there is no provision for joining online. For us, he is on leave,” Kma said. He added that an inquiry had been conducted, and the report had been submitted, yet the ministry had not made its findings public. “How under the sun can someone declare himself free of all charges and claim to have assumed duties?” he questioned.
Kma further stated that a formal letter outlining their resolutions would be sent to the ministry, and if no response was received within 48 hours, clause 2A51 would be invoked, under which the senior-most professor in station would take over as acting vice-chancellor. “If they don’t respond, then naturally that particular statute will be invoked, and the senior-most professor will assume charge,” he asserted.
NEHUSU president Sandy Sohtun criticized Prof. Shukla’s attempts to direct university affairs remotely. “He is trying to run the university through WhatsApp from Guwahati, which we will never accept,” Sohtun said. He added that students would not allow Shukla to return to campus and reiterated that if the ministry failed to act within the deadline, they would ensure that the rules were followed to appoint an acting VC.
Students also warned of renewed agitation if their concerns were ignored. “Previously, they did not listen to the voice of students or stakeholders. We had to go on a hunger strike on November 5. If the situation remains unresolved and the committee’s report is further delayed, we may resume our protest or the hunger strike,” they said.