By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 4: The NEHUSU and KSU NEHU Unit on Tuesday locked all rooms of the university’s administrative block in protest against Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla’s alleged plan to chair an upcoming Executive Council (EC) meeting in New Delhi on November 14.
According to reports, members of the two students’ bodies gathered in front of the VC’s office at 3 pm, hoping that the Ministry of Education would cancel the EC meeting.
The students said they felt “betrayed” after learning that Prof. Shukla would chair the meeting despite earlier assurances from the Ministry that he would not preside over any future EC meetings of the university.
With no response forthcoming, the students proceeded to lock all offices in the administrative block to prevent any official files from being moved.
Speaking to reporters, NEHUSU president Melamlynti Markhap and KSU NEHU Unit president Robinnestar Nongrem said the Ministry had, in May this year, assured them that the final EC meeting would be chaired by the Ministry itself.
However, a recent notification issued on October 16 indicated that the meeting would be chaired by the VC.
Both the student leaders said this move was a direct violation of the understanding previously reached with the Ministry.
“This act of authoritarian behavior by a person lacking moral integrity is completely unacceptable,” they said, adding that the two unions stand united in their opposition to Prof. Shukla’s leadership.
The leaders also recalled that their agitation against the VC had continued for several months, including a 16-day hunger strike last year.
They alleged that Prof. Shukla who has been absent from the campus for nearly a year, is attempting to “rule the university from a distance” and “exert undue authority.”
“We have decided that we will not allow the EC meeting scheduled for November 14 to take place. We strongly oppose the actions of the VC,” the students stated.
They further added that the newly-elected NEHUSU body shares the same ideology as its predecessors and will continue to fight for accountability and fairness in the administration of the university.
