NIRJULI, Jun 4: The Students’ Union of NERIST (SUN) has strongly opposed the reported resignation of NERIST Director Prof Narendranath S, urging the Union Ministry of Education not to accept it and alleging that the resignation was tendered under pressure following interference by “external organizations”.
In a press statement issued late last night, SUN expressed concern over developments that unfolded on May 29, when certain external student organizations, along with a few internal groups, allegedly staged a gherao of the Director, NERIST, demanding the revocation of suspension orders issued against two officials in compliance with a communication from the Ministry of Education.
According to SUN, Prof Narendranath reportedly submitted his resignation to the Ministry of Education amid the prevailing situation. The union termed the development a matter of serious concern, stating that interference by outside organizations undermines the academic environment and administrative integrity of the premier institution.
The student body said it had submitted formal representations separately to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the Secretary of the Ministry of Education requesting non-acceptance of the resignation. Copies of the representation were also forwarded to the Arunachal Pradesh Governor cum President of the NERIST Society, the Chief Minister, the Joint Secretary (Technical Education), Ministry of Education, the Chairman of the Board of Management, NERIST, and other concerned authorities.
Expressing solidarity with the Director, SUN stated that Prof Narendranath has consistently worked for the welfare of students and the overall development of the Institute. The union urged the Ministry to allow him to continue and complete his full five-year tenure as per the appointment order.
The representation further argued that the resignation, if submitted under circumstances involving intimidation and external pressure, should not be accepted without due examination. SUN also sought scrutiny of the circumstances under which the resignation was forwarded, stating that procedural propriety must be maintained.
Highlighting the Director’s tenure since assuming office in July 2023, the union credited him with introducing new academic programmes, including BSc courses in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, MTech programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Transportation Systems Engineering, and the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) course. It also noted the establishment of the Department of Food Engineering Technology, appointment of 43 faculty members and a librarian, introduction of monthly fellowships for PhD scholars, research grants for students, and initiatives to strengthen research and academic activities at the institute.
The union demanded that the Education Ministry reject the resignation and take appropriate action against those allegedly involved in forcing it.
As a mark of protest, the students’ union announced that it would launch a hunger strike starting June 5 if its demands are not met.