The NEHU Students’ Union and the Khasi Students’ Union, NEHU unit has stated that as per the Acts and Statutes of the university, the appointment of a vice chancellor-in-charge is necessary to ensure the continued functioning of the university.
NEHU vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla has decided to go on leave amid the indefinite hunger strike launched by the students on November 5. 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 and entrusted the senior-most professor of the university Prof. Nirmalendu Saha to look after his duties.
While the decision was welcomed by the students union said they will not relent but to intensify the ongoing hunger strike.
“The demand is clear and uncompromising, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, must resign, be removed, or leave the university permanently. This is not a plea; it is a declaration of intent. Until this demand is met, the ongoing hunger strike will not only continue but intensify,” the union leaders said.
The protesting students also said that their resolve is unshakable, and spirits are unbreakable.
“To those who stand in the way and those standing alongside us in our fight for justice, hear us clearly: we will not falter, we will not yield, and we will not rest until Prof. P.S. Shukla is gone from this university. The battle for what is right will continue, and we will not back down. This is our university, and we fight for its future,” they added.
