Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) wants a public fight over the top seat at North-Eastern Hill University. On Monday, the group challenged the NEHU Teachers’ Association and the NEHU Students’ Union to defend the legality of Saroj Kanta Barik’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor in charge. This is not about the man. It is about the rules.
HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem claims the university ignored its own statutes. The group sent a letter to the Ministry of Education demanding answers. They want to know why Barik, the second senior-most professor, snagged the job instead of the senior-most professor, R. Khongsdier. The group asked if the Ministry formally contacted Khongsdier or if he rejected the post. Synrem believes the appointment of a temporary leader carries immense weight because selecting a regular VC often takes six to eight months.
The union leadership faces heat. Synrem pointed out that the teachers and students spent years fighting for compliance with the NEHU Act. He labeled their current support for Barik as a contradiction. "The HYC is prepared to defend its interpretation of the statute and place all relevant facts in the public domain," Synrem stated.
The HYC dismissed claims that Khongsdier had previously turned down the role. Synrem argued those earlier situations occurred while the former VC, Prabha Shankar Shukla, still held office. He noted that a professor of that standing could not simply take charge without clear Ministry approval. The organization is now waiting for a response from the Ministry of Education. They intend to use lawful methods to force the university to follow its own books.
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