Archive · 10 Nov 2025
NEHU Teachers Protest Executive Council Meeting Chaired by Absent Vice-Chancellor
Imagine a school principal who hasn't been at school for almost a year and is staying in a different city.
The teachers and students are upset because a big school meeting is scheduled to happen in the capital city, far away from their school.
They think the principal, who is not around, shouldn't be in charge of the meeting.
They also feel it's a waste of money to travel for the meeting when it could be held at their school.
They previously talked to the education bosses, and it was agreed the principal wouldn't lead meetings anymore.
The teachers and students are protesting, even locking the principal's office to show they disagree with the meeting being held far away and led by someone who isn't present.
NEHU teachers' association (NEHUTA) protests an Executive Council meeting scheduled for November 14 in New Delhi.
NEHUTA objects to Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla chairing the meeting due to his absence from Shillong headquarters for nearly a year.
NEHU Students' Union and Khasi Students' Union also oppose the meeting and have locked the VC's office in Shillong.
Teachers argue the meeting should be held on campus to comply with austerity measures and avoid unnecessary expenses.
NEHUTA claims an agreement with the education ministry stipulated that the May 30 EC meeting would be the last chaired by Shukla.
- Who
- North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA), NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), Khasi Students’ Union–NEHU unit (KSU-NEHU unit), Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla
- What
- Protest against the holding of an Executive Council meeting in New Delhi chaired by an absent Vice-Chancellor.
- When
- November 14 (meeting date), Letters dated November 4, Protest on Tuesday, Absence since November last year.
- Where
- New Delhi (proposed meeting location), Shillong (university headquarters and location of VC's office).
- Why
- Objection to the absent Vice-Chancellor chairing the meeting, violation of ministry directives, austerity measures, and alleged mismanagement and misconduct by the VC.
NEHUTA & Unions
Vice-Chancellor's Office (Implied)
Location of Executive Council Meeting
NEHUTA & Unions
The meeting should be held on campus in Shillong, not in New Delhi, to adhere to austerity measures and avoid unnecessary expenditure of university funds.
Vice-Chancellor's Office (Implied)
The meeting is scheduled to be held in New Delhi.
Vice-Chancellor's Chairmanship
NEHUTA & Unions
Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla, who has been absent from the university headquarters for nearly a year, should not chair the Executive Council meeting. NEHUTA cites an agreement with the education ministry that the May 30 EC meeting would be the last chaired by Shukla.
Vice-Chancellor's Office (Implied)
Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla is set to chair the meeting, despite his prolonged absence from Shillong.
VC's Conduct and Authority
NEHUTA & Unions
The VC's continued absence, alleged mismanagement, nepotism, and narcissistic behavior, along with an ongoing inquiry into his conduct, undermine his authority to chair meetings. His interference in university functions despite being declared persona non grata is also a concern.
Vice-Chancellor's Office (Implied)
The VC continues to chair meetings and interfere in the university's functioning, suggesting an assertion of authority despite the ongoing concerns.
- University
- North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU)
- Meeting Type
- Executive Council (EC)
- Meeting Date
- November 14
- Meeting Location
- New Delhi
- Vice-Chancellor
- Prabha Shankar Shukla
- VC's Absence
- Over 354 days as of November 4, operating from Guwahati guest house.