In a move that could have far-reaching consequences for North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, senior officials from the Ministry of Education will visit the central university on Thursday to conduct a comprehensive review of its functioning. The visit comes at a time of heightened tension on campus, as both students and faculty continue to demand the removal of Vice Chancellor Prof. P.S. Shukla.
The delegation will be led by Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, accompanied by Subrat Kumar Pradhan, Director in the same department.
A formal communication issued by the Ministry confirms the visit: “Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, along with Shri Subrat Kumar Pradhan, Director, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, will be visiting North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong on 22.05.2025 (Thursday) to review the functioning of the University.”
The visit is seen as highly significant, especially in light of the two-member inquiry committee constituted earlier by the Ministry of Education, which has already submitted its report to the Centre. Although the contents of the report remain confidential, the demand for removal of Vice Chancellor Prof PS Shukla have continued unabated in recent months, with student and teacher associations accusing the Vice Chancellor of undermining academic freedom and mismanaging university affairs.
The upcoming visit is expected to include closed-door meetings with university stakeholders, where these grievances are likely to be aired in full.
With mounting pressure and the inquiry report now in the Ministry’s hands, the visit could mark a decisive moment for NEHU.
