Kohima: The All Sumi Students Union (SKK) confronted Nagaland University leadership on September 21. They met with Vice Chancellor Professor Jagadish K Patnaik at the Lumami campus. The union demanded more jobs for qualified Naga youths. They want new academic programs too.
Admission policies for research scholars also took center stage. The union wants better representation for local students in these programs. The dialogue took a sharp turn regarding campus culture. They pushed back against specific religious displays during official events. The union cited the inclusion of Vande Mataram and religious observances during International Yoga Day as problematic.
The SKK issued a clear stance on the matter. They noted: "While stating that it respects all faiths and traditions, it stressed the importance of constitutional values, institutional neutrality, inclusivity and mutual respect within the University." Beyond academics, they demanded more transparency and better relations between teaching and non-teaching staff.
The tour spanned several days across multiple locations. On September 18, the team inspected the Primary Health Centre in Atoizu and schools in Akuhaito and Lotisa Village. By September 19, they reached Mokokchung. They met with community organizations and toured the Government High School Sumi, which has operated since 1958. The union also met the NU Registrar and visited the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Lumami. The group claims these visits help them identify ground-level struggles facing students and medical workers.
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