By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 10: The proposed 193rd meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), scheduled for November 14 in New Delhi, has been cancelled in the wake of protest by the students.
In a letter addressed to EC members on Monday, NEHU Registrar (in-charge) Prof SK Dixit informed that the meeting “stands cancelled till further notice.” He said the decision was taken in view of the agitation and disruptions prevailing on the university campus and as directed by the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Shillong), considering the current volatile situation.
The decision came after members of the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the NEHU unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) had staged a protest outside the Vice Chancellor’s office, demanding that the meeting in Delhi be called off.
During the protest, the students had a brief argument with Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Sumarbin Umdor.
Speaking to reporters, NEHUSU general secretary Martin Warjri clarified that the unions were not opposed to the EC meeting but to the decision to hold it outside the NEHU campus.
“We want to make it clear that we are not against the Ministry of Education or the EC meeting. What we oppose is the misleading narrative suggesting otherwise,” Warjri said.
He said the Ministry of Education had earlier directed all Central Universities not to conduct EC meetings outside their respective campuses. Officials from the ministry had assured the unions that no such meeting would take place outside NEHU, he added.
“Despite this assurance, a new notification announced that the EC meeting would be held in Delhi,” he said, questioning the source of funds for such a move considering the university’s current financial constraints.
Warjri pointed out that several departments of NEHU, including the Law Department, are struggling with poor infrastructure. “The classrooms are in a dilapidated state while the toilets are in a terrible condition. It hardly resembles a Central University,” he said.
He questioned the administration’s decision to spend money on travel and logistics for a meeting in Delhi when basic student facilities and departmental needs remain unmet.
Following the collective opposition from NEHUSU and KSU, the university authorities cancelled the Delhi meeting, a move welcomed by both student bodies.
“We appreciate the decision to cancel the meeting and urge the administration to now focus on the smooth functioning of the university and the upcoming examinations,” Warjri said.
Call to hold EC meeting in Delhi was taken at highest level: Pro-VC
NEHU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Sumarbin Umdor has urged all stakeholders to maintain peace and avoid returning to the days of campus unrest, stressing that the interests of students must remain the top priority.
“I don’t want my students to suffer. So, in my capacity as the Pro-Vice Chancellor, I have asked the Registrar in-charge to withdraw the EC notification in the interest of the university and students,” Prof Umdor told reporters on Monday.
The students staged a protest opposing the NEHU’s proposed Executive Council (EC) meeting in New Delhi on November 14 which has now been cancelled.
The Pro-VC said since he assumed office in June, the university has made significant progress in restoring normalcy after a turbulent phase.
“We all — faculty members, non-teaching staff, and students —worked very hard to bring back normalcy. Exams were conducted smoothly, academic council and regular Deans Committed meetings were held, and several national and international seminars took place,” he said.
He also said that the current impasse stemmed from differences over the chairmanship and the venue of the EC meeting.
“I had apprised the Vice Chancellor that, under the current conditions, the EC meeting should not be held due to opposition to his chairmanship and the ministry’s notification disallowing meetings outside the campus. I suggested that the senior Pro-VC chair the meeting, but he did not agree,” Prof Umdor said.
He added that the Ministry of Education informed him on October 24 that the decision to hold the meeting outside Shillong had been taken at the highest level.
“When the ministry gives direct communication, I cannot challenge it. As a Pro-VC, I have to maintain a working relationship with the ministry officials because I am constantly pleading for funds for the university,” Prof Umdor said.
Highlighting its financial difficulties, he disclosed that allocation under the recurring head had been reduced by 42 per cent, from Rs 53 crore last year to Rs 31 crore this year.
“Our salary and wages if contract workers alone come to around Rs 41 crore annually, and internal resources are very low since fees are minimal. I’ve been meeting ministry officials repeatedly to request an increase in allocation,” he added.
Expressing concern over the growing agitation on campus, he said his primary responsibility was to safeguard students, staff, and upcoming examinations.
“I have to think about safety and security. If students go into agitation mode, all examinations will be disrupted. Thousands of students will suffer because of one EC meeting,” he said, adding that he had sought the state government’s help to convey the NEHU’s position to the ministry.
