NEHU Tussle Intensifies: VC Warns Pro-VC Over 'Invalid' Academic Council Meeting

A power struggle in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has reached a dramatic level, with Vice Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla declaring an Academic Council meeting called by Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Sherwin Sungoh to be "unauthorised" and endangering the academic stability of the university.

The May 21 meeting was made public by Prof. Sungoh in a notification issued by the Joint Registrar. But the move has sparked strong objection from Prof. Shukla, who claims that only the Vice Chancellor is legally authorized to convene such meetings under the NEHU Act and university rules.

Prof. Shukla warned that in the event of the meeting, serious administrative action could be taken. His greatest concern: anything that is decided at this contentious meeting can not only be legally invalid but will directly impact students — from delaying exam results to jeopardizing degree awards and even risking plans for the following session.

This is not just a protocol matter. It is safeguarding our students' academic future,\" Prof. Shukla is said to have said university staff in confidence.

According to sources, Prof. Shukla had already instructed the Joint Registrar to issue a notice convening a meeting of the Academic Council, but to no success. The Registrar, Col. Omkar Singh (Retd), therefore stepped in and duly announced the meeting on May 23. Notwithstanding this, Prof. Sungoh's unilateral call for a May 21 meeting has reignited confusion and further deepened the rift in NEHU's leadership ranks.

Academic and legal scholars in the university caution that a bypass of the Vice Chancellor's authority could have far-reaching consequences. "If the actions taken in this meeting are later challenged, the university would end up stuck in court battles," a senior academic said.

Students and staff now wait nervously, hoping administrative egos do not get the better of academic imperatives. With critical academic choices on the brink of being made, many are urging discussion and collaboration over conflict at one of the Northeast's top universities.