The North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) has reached the seventh day of its hunger strike, with demands for the resignation of Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla and four top officials, including the registrar. In a show of solidarity, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has expressed full support for the NEHU students.
The ongoing hunger strike has led to a rapid decline in the health of several students, with many requiring hospitalization. Despite this, the university administration has remained silent on NEHUSU’s demands, which include essential facilities such as infrastructure upgrades, access to academic journals, improved hostel conditions, establishment of internship cells, 24/7 library access, lab maintenance, remote access to e-resources, and expanded student exchange programs.
Student representatives have voiced frustration over the administration’s lack of response, pointing out that Vice Chancellor Shukla, now in his third year, has failed to appoint a Pro-Vice Chancellor for the university’s additional campuses, a requirement under university ordinances. Instead, they claim that unqualified individuals have been appointed to key positions, further undermining NEHU’s operations.
Allegations against Vice Chancellor Shukla include corruption and a disregard for due process in appointing four “inefficient” officials. Students are also raising concerns over irregularities in the recruitment of both teaching and non-teaching staff, citing widespread procedural violations. NEHU, under Shukla’s leadership, has reportedly been plagued by decaying infrastructure, mismanaged staff appointments, lack of basic amenities (such as drinking water in hostels), and delayed fellowship payments to research scholars.
In a statement, JNUSU leaders Dhananjay (President), Avijit (Vice President), Priyanshi (General Secretary), and Sajid (Joint Secretary) highlighted that NEHU’s struggle is emblematic of the declining state of higher education in India, mirroring the challenges faced by many universities under the current Modi administration.
“We salute the courage of the hunger-striking students, the NEHU Students’ Union, the NEHU Teachers’ Association, and the NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association,” said the JNUSU leaders, reaffirming their commitment to advocating for quality, accessible, and affordable education.
