Shillong, Meghalaya — In a fervent call for change, students at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have entered the fourth day of an indefinite hunger strike, demanding a sweeping overhaul in university leadership. The protest, which started as a sit-in, has now intensified into a full-scale demonstration involving nearly 5,000 students and faculty members, who say their pleas for action against Vice-Chancellor PS Shukla and his administration have long been ignored. The crisis has drawn the attention of Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar, who has met with university representatives to discuss a resolution.

The hunger strike, organized by the North-Eastern Hill University Students' Union (NEHUSU), has disrupted campus life and placed NEHU in the national spotlight. Protesters are not only calling for the Vice-Chancellor’s removal but also for the dismissal of the university’s Registrar and Deputy Registrar, whom students and faculty alike claim have failed to uphold their duties. Effigies of the officials were burned outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office earlier this week, symbolizing what students describe as the “decay” of NEHU’s administration.

“This strike is not just about us; it’s about future generations who deserve a better system,” says Arun Tamang, a third-year student participating in the hunger strike. “We are willing to risk our health because we believe this is the only way our voices will be heard.”

Amid growing concerns for the students’ health, Governor Vijayashankar, who also serves as NEHU’s chief rector, expressed his support for a peaceful resolution. He encouraged students to prioritize their well-being while urging university leaders to address their grievances swiftly. “It is disheartening to see students sacrificing their health for change,” the Governor remarked. “I urge all parties to consider dialogue as the first step toward reconciliation.” He has called on NEHU’s faculty and administrative staff to submit recommendations to help bring the crisis to a close.

While the Governor’s involvement is a promising development, the protesters remain skeptical. Prof. Lakhon Kma, President of the North Eastern Hill University Teachers' Association (NEHUTA), confirmed that faculty members have joined the students in their demands for leadership change. “This is not just about students; it’s about restoring faith in our institution. The leadership has eroded that trust, and we believe only their resignation can start the healing process,” said Prof. Kma.

One of the primary demands involves appointing a Pro Vice-Chancellor for NEHU’s Tura campus, a position that has remained vacant for years, leading to alleged neglect of resources and academic support for students in Tura. In response, Vice-Chancellor Shukla has announced that a pro-VC appointment will be made by the end of the month. “We are working within university ordinances to address these issues, and I urge students to engage in a constructive dialogue,” Shukla said in a statement, directly appealing to students to end their hunger strike.

Shukla’s appeal, however, has largely fallen on deaf ears as student leaders maintain that dialogue is insufficient after years of unmet promises. “We’ve tried dialogue. Now we need change,” says Amina Pariat, a NEHUSU representative. She notes that the lack of accountability has left students feeling unsupported, leading them to take these drastic measures.

The strike has drawn solidarity from across Meghalaya, with local communities, alumni, and activists joining the call for reform. Arjun Bora, a prominent Shillong-based activist, commented, “If NEHU doesn’t address this crisis, it could become a blueprint for student movements across India. Higher education institutions must be held accountable.”

The unfolding crisis at NEHU has prompted educators nationwide to consider the broader implications for India’s academic institutions. Education analysts warn that if NEHU’s leadership fails to address the grievances, the university’s reputation as a prominent educational institution in the northeast could suffer, deterring prospective students and damaging Meghalaya’s standing as an educational hub.

As NEHU students continue their hunger strike, the outcome remains uncertain. For students like Arun and Amina, however, the stakes are clear. “We’re not just asking for leadership change,” says Amina. “We’re fighting for the future of our university.”