Protest against ‘virtual’ re-joining of VC Prof PS Shukla
Shillong, Mar 6: Student activists belonging to NEHUSU and KSU have locked the office of NEHU vice-chancellor Prof PS Shukla in protest against his reported “virtual” resumption of duty at the university.
The VC, who went on a long leave following allegations about his way of functioning, claimed that he had resumed his duty as VC on March 3.
Earlier, indefinite strike led by North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) against the VC stalled the university for several weeks and led to an inquiry by Ministry of Education.
The incidents prompted the VC to proceed on long leave and appointment of a VC in-charge, who did not have full authority again affecting the university’s functioning for months.
Activists of NEHUSU and KSU, who had been on firm on the VC’s ouster, also locked the university gates to prevent Prof Shukla from entering the campus.
Reiterating their demand for Prof Shukla’s immediate removal, NEHUSU and KSU have alleged that he is responsible for the ongoing crisis in the university.
Echoing the student bodies’ concern, NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) president Prof Lakhon Kma said there was no precedent of anyone resuming duty virtually following an “earned leave” (EL) in NEHU’s 50-plus years of history.
Prof Shukla had been on EL for the past three-and-a-half months.
“The NEHUTA finds such a claim misplaced, as it violates university procedures and rules, especially in the case of a completely errant VC like Prof PS Shukla, who has brought NEHU to its lowest point through his wrongdoings—leading to an official inquiry,” Prof Kma said.
