SHILLONG, March 27: NEHU is the lone central university in Meghalaya where students from the state as well as other places come for their higher studies, but lately, the institute has become a hotspot for clashes and skirmishes between the student groups much to the concern of all stakeholders.
Taking cognizance of the prevailing situation, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma on Wednesday observed that the University campus should not be misused for the political benefit of anybody.
Talking about the recent developments in the institute, Sangma said that the University should serve its purpose.
He maintained that although students can learn about politics through the concept of students’ politics in the university campus, there should be limitations to such exercise.
“The student politics should not cross the line and the University campus should not be misused for any political purpose and benefit,” he said, while adding that the recent episodes in the university are not encouraging.
It may be mentioned that recently, a scuffle broke out between members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) on Monday during celebration of Holi and two FIRs were subsequently filed in this regard.
These clashes were unheard of in the university earlier as NEHUSU often raised issues pertaining to the students’ welfare and even protested on some occasions earlier.
However, sources claimed that lately, the ABVP, the student wing of the BJP, has also become very active in the university.
It was informed that Kamlesh Singh, a full-time pracharak (preacher) and mouthpiece of RSS, has been appointed recently in the ABVP. Singh, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, has been working in Shillong to organise ABVP units in NEHU.
Another ABVP leader Harsh Ranjan has been appointed to organise the unit in the Tura campus of NEHU.
The source also stated that NEHU Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla is aware of these activities taking place in the institute.
