As standoff with VC continues, futures at risk

The report of an education ministry probe into NEHU mismanagement remains a secret, allowing the crisis to drag on, impacting academic decisions, placements and development

- Pritha Roy Choudhury

Around Rs 300 crore, earmarked for building hostels in North Eastern Hill University’s Tura campus, Meghalaya, lie unused. At the time this story was written, the central university headquartered in Shillong, Meghalaya, had until the end of the financial year on March 31 - roughly three weeks - to utilise it, an impossible task.

Hostels are not the only projects on hold. Even regular functions of the university, such as exams and assessments, are hampered. “The end-semester exams, which were supposed to be held in December, have now been postponed to March due to the turmoil and protests. This will also delay the next semester's exams, which means students will suffer academically, and their placements will be affected as well,” said a faculty member from the Tura campus requesting anonymity.

Since late last year, NEHU has been engulfed in turmoil - protests by teachers and students, both targeting the current vice-chancellor, Prabha Shankar Shukla. He was compelled to go on leave in November but rejoined, reportedly “remotely” from Delhi, on March 3, setting off a fresh round of conflict.

The union government launched a probe in November and the committee even had its term extended by another 15 days on November 28. Over two months later, no report has been made public. As reports of Shukla's return spread, the North-Eastern Hill University Students' Union (NEHU-SU) and the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) wrote to education minister Dharmendra Pradhan asking for the report. The government's silence on the inquiry is not helping matters but drawing the crisis out.

Shukla did not respond to calls or messages. As is often the case with such crises, NEHU’s began much before the winter of 2024.

Start of conflict

As is often the case with such crises, NEHU's began much before the winter of 2024.