Shillong: Faculty members of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have voiced sharp criticism over the administration’s decision to hold the university’s 193rd Executive Council (EC) meeting in New Delhi on November 14, calling it an unnecessary and regressive move that defies ministry orders and prior institutional agreements.
In a letter to Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Umdor, the NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) expressed “strong opposition” to conducting the meeting outside the Shillong campus, terming the decision a “blatant violation” of the university’s norms and the Ministry of Education’s directive.
NEHUTA accused Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.S. Shukla—who, according to them, has been away from the university’s headquarters for nearly a year—of attempting to preside over the meeting despite protests and an earlier understanding with ministry officials and stakeholders.
Shukla had left the Shillong campus in November 2023 following widespread protests and allegations of mismanagement, nepotism, and arbitrary decision-making.
The teachers’ association claimed that the decision to move the EC meeting to Delhi was aimed at avoiding the backlash awaiting him in Shillong, where students, faculty, and staff have already declared him persona non grata.
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The association also slammed the financial implications of the Delhi venue, calling it “wasteful expenditure” at a time when the university is under austerity measures.
It pointed to a Ministry of Education circular (F. No. 20-13/2024-CU.IV, dated August 20, 2024) that specifically directs central universities to conduct statutory meetings within their campuses to promote transparency and efficiency.
“NEHUTA condemns the unwarranted interference by Prof. Shukla and urges the administration not to squander limited university resources on off-campus meetings,” the association said, reaffirming its commitment to protect the interests of the faculty and the wider university community.
