Shillong (Meghalaya), May 15: The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) crisis has reached a deadlock, with principals of various colleges affiliated to the university openly expressing their serious concern over the demand for the removal of Vice Chancellor (VC) Prabha Shankar Shukla. The stalemate has been ongoing for months, with students and staff members calling for Shukla’s ouster.
According to sources, two crucial meetings are slated to take place on May 23 and May 30 to bring an end to the crisis. The first meeting will be held in Shillong on May 23, where VC Shukla will attend virtually. The second meeting will take place in New Delhi on May 30, which he will attend personally. The primary aim of these meetings is to find a solution to the crisis and restore normalcy to the university.
Highly placed sources have indicated that amending the university’s constitution may be the only way to end the stalemate. “Otherwise, things would continue the same way,” the source said. Meanwhile, some academic staff members have started claiming themselves to be the acting VC, which has no consent from the competent authorities. This development has further complicated the situation, with no clear resolution in sight.
As the situation stands, there is every possibility of change in the constitution of the university with some top government officials being asked to take over the reins of the university, keeping in consideration the future of the students’ community and the reputation of the university. The upcoming meetings are expected to play a crucial role in resolving the crisis and finding a way forward for the university.
