The acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof. Nirmalendu Saha, has urged the agitating students to call off their indefinite hunger strike, which has entered the 12th day on Saturday.
However, the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU-NEHU Unit) said their “hunger strike will not only continue but intensify” until Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla resigned as VC of the university.
“The students are like my children. It is very painful for us to see this position. I know all the problems. I will try my level best in cooperation with the students, teachers, and non-teaching staff to resolve all the problems in my limited responsibility. I request the students to call off the hunger strike,” Saha told the agitating students after taking charge as acting VC on Friday after Shukla went on leave for 15 days.
“I have seen the best part of the university and now the worst part of it. It is painful to see the university in a position of turmoil,” Saha, who has completed 37 years of service in NEHU said.
Shukla has gone on earned leave amid the indefinite hunger strike, which has entered the 11th day on Friday, by students who demanded his resignation.
The NEHU Teachers’ Association and Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association (MeTTA-NEHU), NEHU Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) and several other organisations are supporting NEHUSU’s demand.
“I am on leave for 15 days as my 84-year-old father is unwell. I may extend my leave if needed,” Shukla told UNI.
Asked if he is going to give in to the growing demand for his resignation as VC, Shukla said, “This is a constitutional thing. I have been appointed by the President of India. If President asked me to step down, I will definitely do as I am an employee of the President.”
Reiterating to continue with their indefinite hunger strike, the NEHUSU and KSU -NEHU Unit, said, “The demand is clear and uncompromising: the Vice Chancellor; Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla must resign, be removed, or leave the university permanently.
“This is not a plea; it is a declaration of intent. Until this demand is met, the ongoing hunger strike will not only continue but intensify. Our resolve is unshakeable, and our spirit is unbreakable,” the agitating students asserted.
On Thursday, the Union Ministry of Education constituted a two-member committee to conduct an inquiry into the alleged irregularities against the administrative mismanagement and failure of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
The inquiry committee, headed by former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Prof. D P Singh and also consisting of former Assam University vice chancellor Prof. Dilip Chandra Nath, will have to submit its report within a period of 15 days, along with necessary recommendations for corrective actions.
