By Arpita Saikia
“When cherry blossoms paint the campus pink,
NEHU fights to RISE UP AND BUILD”
The NEHU protest has now entered its 12th day. The tents in front of the Vice Chancellor’s office still stand tall, much like their determined occupants. Their faces, though shrunken from exhaustion, continue to inspire onlookers, as they did the writer of this piece. Much has unfolded in the past few days: the VC’s residence was vandalized; certain news portals took full advantage, twisting and sensationalizing the story; and people on campus were left wondering how such an incident could occur, especially given the heavy security around the VC’s residence even on regular days. The whispers about his “flight” from campus had barely settled when a surprising piece of news surfaced: he appointed two Pro-VCs for the Shillong and Tura campuses—not from his office, but from an “undisclosed” location. Instead of calming the crisis, this move only intensified it, infuriating both students and faculty alike. And in his most recent move, he applied for leave from November 17, resulting in the appointment of Prof. Saha as the acting VC. These moves by the Vice Chancellor shed light on several troubling aspects of the University. First and foremost, it has been mentioned repeatedly how the Vice Chancellor is frequently absent from campus for long periods, to the point that important discussions are delayed to fit his schedule. This action serves as living proof of how he manages—or mismanages—the campus affairs by deliberately not being there.
It appears that he continues to disregard the students’ concerns, showing indifference to the situation, while exercising his power, despite the open disapproval of both NEHUSU and NEHUTA, who have expressed a complete lack of trust in his leadership.
Prof Sungoh, appointed as Pro-VC for the Shillong campus, revealed that she received her appointment notice via WhatsApp- an approach that is extremely unprofessional. The notification was signed by one Devendra Kumar Biswal, Assistant Registrar (Planning, I/C), whose appointment to a professorship from a non-teaching role is currently under intense scrutiny. This raises serious concerns about the transparency and integrity of administrative processes at NEHU. Allowing such a person to sign an important notification like that of Pro VC appointment is a mockery of the system and undermines its credibility. Both the Pro VCs have declined the posts.
The situation at NEHU shows no signs of improving. Neither students nor faculty are willing to compromise on their demands. The Vice Chancellor has had numerous opportunities to engage with the stakeholders, but it is now too late. Both students and faculty have lost their trust in his leadership, which was further cemented by his departure from campus. NEHU is craving for a leadership that’s rooted here, a VC whose heart, mind and soul are dedicated to the University, one who does not turn a blind eye to the adversities.
A few words on NEHUSU and the genesis of the protest
The protest led by the NEHUSU and KSU NEHU Unit is unprecedented in the history of the University. They have exhibited remarkable courage and bravery, especially in initiating an indefinite hunger strike. Their non-violent approach emphasizes their willingness to respect the rules while standing firm on their demand of bringing the much needed changes for the betterment of the institution.
One of the key efforts of the present NEHUSU has been to bridge the gap between the Union and student community. It is evident from their meetings held on November 4, with the hostel prefects where they briefed them on the situation as well as from the speech of Toniho Kharsati, the GS of NEHUSU on the November 5, to the gatherings of the students in front of the Central library where he highlighted the issues and challenges that the University faces. They had a clear goal: to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla. With the effort proving futile the protest was escalated with the declaration of an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the removal of Prof. Shukla from his position of the Vice Chancellor due to his inaction.
Throughout this period the NEHUSU has made efforts to keep the student community informed. They have also actively sought individual grievances through Google forms, ensuring that the voices of the students are heard.
While it is true that NEHUSU’s strategy may not be free of flaws, it is important to consider the broader context. A significant majority of the student body has shown solidarity, while a smaller group has either remained indifferent or found it easier to critique from the comfort of their rooms. However this group remains a minority and should not overshadow the efforts of those leading the protest. It is also crucial to remember that the members of NEHUSU and KSU NEHU Unit are students themselves, and they are also gaining experiences in leadership and learning along the way. This protest is about bringing positive changes in the University and their actions reflect their desire to make a difference despite possible imperfections.
As I write, another fasting student is struggling in the health center with complications. It is worth noting that the Governor is yet to visit the protesting students. NEHU is in turmoil. Classes have been disrupted, and the fact that students are forced to sacrifice their health and well-being in order to demand a better campus is nothing short of dystopian. As a student of NEHU, I find myself torn between my academic responsibilities and the moral and ethical duties. But again what is education if it is devoid of morality and ethics?
(The writer is Research Scholar Department of History NEHU)