In an unexpected development, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla has decided to go on leave. In his place, Prof. Nirmalendu Saha, the senior-most teacher in the university, will take over as acting vice chancellor.
The decision by Prof. Shukla came amid the indefinite hunger strike launched by the students on November 5 entered its 11th day today. The students are demanding for the resignation of Prof. Shukla.
In his leave application, Prof. Shukla cited “unavoidable circumstances” for his decision to go on earned leave from November 15 and the leave period will be from November 17 to November 29.
The leave application reads, “Due to some unavoidable circumstances I am leaving the campus on Earned Leave (EL) with effect from today i.e. 15/11/2024 with prefix and suffix. The leave period will be 17/11/24 to 29/11/24. That can be extended further if required. During my absence, the senior-most professor of the university (Prof. N Saha or others) shall look after the charge/duties of the vice chancellor.”
Meanwhile, NEHU Students’ Union general secretary Toniho Kharsati today said that the decision of Prof. Shukla going on leave shows his “irresponsibility and incompetence”.
Addressing the students at the protest site, Kharsati also said that NEHUSU will not call off the hunger strike despite the decision of Prof. Shukla to go on leave.
“We will be continuing this hunger strike as the demand for the removal of the vice chancellor has still not been achieved. His leaving this university is not our main agenda or main concern. Our main concern is how he leaves this university. The way the vice chancellor has portrayed himself in taking leave as if there is foul play on his part. Is it really the case? We all know what this person did to the university,” Kharsati said.
The NEHUSU general secretary informed that one of the points to be probed by the enquiry committee instituted by the Ministry of Education is the allegation brought before it about the non-responsiveness of the vice chancellor.
“This clearly shows that this two member committee that was instituted by the Education Ministry will probe into all irregularities mentioned in all the four points,” Kharsati said.
He said that if the Education Ministry mentioned the non-responsiveness of Prof. Shukla, it means that the vice chancellor is also one of the parties that is under scrutiny.
“However this act of taking leave of the vice chancellor shows that he is someone beyond the ministry,” Kharsati said.
He also said that the absconding Vice Chancellor does not have time to come to NEHU but he said the time to attend a programme in another university.
However, the NEHUSU general secretary termed the taking over of Prof. Saha as acting vice chancellor as a “ray of hope” for the university. He also said that the students welcome Prof. Saha in his new position.
In his address to the agitating students, Prof. Saha said that he felt very painful to see the students on hunger strike amid the cold conditions. He also appealed to them to call off the agitation.
“The students are like my children. It is very painful for us to see this position. I know all the problems. I’ll try my level best in cooperation with the students, teachers and non-teaching staff to resolve all the problems in my limited responsibility. I request the students to call off the hunger strike,” Prof. Saha said.
Prof. Saha said that he is a product of NEHU and has been there since 1980. Stating that he did his studies in the university and taught here, he said that he has completed 37 years of service in NEHU.
Stating that he has seen the best part as well as the worst part of the university, Prof. Saha said, “It is painful to see the university in a position of turmoil.”
