NEHUSU says “NO”

to new Vice Chancellor.

In the murky situation of the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Meghalaya which has become very controversial, it appears from all accounts that the Visitor of NEHU being the President of India Pratibha Patil has been misguided into giving the stamp of approval in appointing Professor A.N. Rai as recommended by the Search Committee.

The Committee it seems, had not put in efforts to carry out a thorough search but had confined the search to only three top names, the first being Pramod Tandon, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, the second being the highly controversial A.N. Rai and the third candidate being Professor Abhay Maurya. A lot of string pulling behind the scenes seems to have been made, firstly to retain Pramod Tandon and extending his tenure in NEHU even though he is highly unpopular which was apparent through the stir which was initiated against his continuance. The mantle however finally fell on Professor A. N. Rai.

The pertinent question at this point is whether the members of the Search Committee themselves are eligible or competent enough to recommend appointment of the Vice Chancellor, as provisions are clear that members of the Search Committee can not have any relations or links with the concerned university whether past or present. The facts show that J. M. Lyngdoh, one of the members of the Committee had received an honorary degree from NEHU in January 2009. Also, the other member R.R. Chidambaram was the Chief Guest of NEHU’s 2009 Convocation. The question which may be asked here is whether this amounts to contravention of the provisions of the Central University Act itself.

The track records of both Pramod Tandon and A.N. Rai are marred by accusations of acts of corruption and other unhealthy habits that place them far from the definition of eminent academicians or reputed scholars. It would not be fit and proper if the name of NEHU itself is somewhat tainted. Another question which remains unanswered is why Professor A.N. Rai was appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of NEHU in a hasty manner when he still has six months to complete his previous tenure as Vice Chancellor of Mizoram University.

An independent and responsible body should be formed to probe into the murky backdrop in this drama of appointment of the new Vice Chancellor of NEHU. It should be made clear therefore if at any stage there has been any violation of the Central University Act. Other than controversial figures, are there no other names in the National Register List for selection as a Vice Chancellor of any of the 42 central universities in the country besides NEHU?

These are the uncertainties which have prompted many, especially the students of the university under the banner of the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) to protest tooth and nail against the appointment of Professor A.N. Rai as the new Vice Chancellor of NEHU. The NEHUSU is not alone in this fight as other social and student organisations are also protesting against Professor A.N. Rai’s appointment. Furthermore, the students had also expressed their opinion of preferring an indigenous person to head the university, a capable person on whom they can have trust and confidence.

The student representatives had met the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma and had asked the state government to intervene and solve the issue. The Chief Minister had in the meantime also blamed the Ministry of Human Resource Development for mishandling the NEHU issue which he said had turned from bad to worse. The Chief Minister said that further negligence in resolving the present problem would definitely hamper the image of the university. The Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M. Lanong was also sore about the way things were being handled. He also commented that the Search Committee did not have the courtesy to consult the government in the process of appointing a new Vice Chancellor. The authorities in the ministry acted arbitrarily, side tracking the Executive Committee which should have nominated members of the Search Committee.

A team of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry landed in Shillong on the 21st of October following agitations that had disturbed the normal functioning of the university since Professor A.N. Rai took over as Vice Chancellor. The students had prevented Professor A.N. Rai from entering his office room and rotten eggs were hurled at his office. In order to prevent a flare up, a police team was deployed to unlock the gates of the university.

The Union Resource Development team led by the ministry’s department of higher education Secretary Vibna Puri Das which also included University Grants Commission Vice Chairman Professor Ved Prakash and Additional Secretary of higher education Sunil Kumar took stock of the situation. The team had consultations with the state Governor R.S. Mooshahary who is also the Rector of the university, the state Chief Secretary W.M.S. Pariat and also the student representatives. Student leader Kynpham Kharlyngdoh has asserted that Professor A.N. Rai is not acceptable to the student community as the new Vice Chancellor of NEHU. Professor A.N. Rai however announced that he would not step down as he was appointed by the President of India.

The Central team had asked the students and the teachers to respect the decision of the President of India who had appointed Professor A.N. Rai while on the other hand; the students had accused the Central team of defending the appointment of Professor A.N. Rai and had at the same time pressed for the appointment of an indigenous Vice Chancellor. Professor A.N. Rai had also argued that at present there is no mention in the Central University Act that local aspirants should be given preference in the appointment of Vice Chancellors in central universities.

The various contentions are therefore conflicting, yet a solution has to be reached. The Union Resources Development Ministry has to submit a report on the situation particularly the demand of the students for having an eminent indigenous personality, according to the prevailing circumstances.

However, the opinion of the state government also can not be ignored. The State Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has in fact admitted that some points raised by the students deserve attention, which should make the university Visitor namely the President of India review the recommendations of the Search Committee again before a final solution is arrived at.

The Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M. Lanong has gone a step ahead in naming Professor David R. Syiemlieh as the best person for the top job in the university which is certainly food for thought.

NEHU being a central university has to maintain its status and image of a national character yet the saying ‘Act locally and think globally’ should fit in the present situation and circumstances.