In solidarity with the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF), the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) and Delhi Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) and Sangtam Scholars Association has condemned the Order No. (THE/HE/13-3/2020(PT-1)104, dated 17th December 2024,) which authorizes the absorption and regularization of 147 Assistant Professors and Librarians under the Department of Higher Education.
In a press release issued today, the NMSA affirmed that the order denies the rights and opportunities enshrined under Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and equal opportunity in public employment. “By circumventing open, competitive recruitment processes, this decision undermines the merit, perseverance, and legitimate expectations of qualified aspirants preparing to compete through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC),” stated the NMSA.
It extended its unwavering solidarity with all deserving aspirants, and commended the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) for courageously defending the rights of students and the integrity of our public institutions.
NMSA also expressed concern that the issue is not an isolated case. It reminded on the recent attempt to regularize 280 contractual posts, including contractual medical officers, in the Health Department without due process-denying fair opportunity to qualified candidates. “We urge that all 168 contractual Medical Officer posts from the COVID period be requisitioned to NPSC for proper recruitment. Repeatedly bypassing fair recruitment undermines public trust and governance,” appealed the Association.
The NMSA reiterated Its firm stand that:
-All public appointments must be conducted through a transparent and advertised process under NPSC/NSSB, involving written examinations and viva-voce.
-No individual or group should be granted undue privilege at the expense of constitutional justice and public trust.
-Backdoor appointments are unconstitutional, unfair, and must be unequivocally rejected.
In light of the above, NMSA demanded the immediate revocation of the order and urged the Government of Nagaland to:
-Cancel the said order without delay and halt all irregular regularizations.
-Requisition all vacant posts to NPSC/NSSB for a fair, open, and merit-based selection process.
-Restore faith among the aspirants of Nagaland by upholding equal opportunity and rejecting all forms of nepotism and administrative shortcuts.
“The aspirants and youths of Nagaland deserve better, a system that rewards merit, respects the Constitution, and embodies transparency and fairness. We the NMSA, remains resolute in its commitment to defend these principles and will continue to raise its voice against any injustice in public service recruitment,” it expressed.
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Delhi Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU)
Extending full solidarity to the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF), the Delhi Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) asserted that any deviation from constitutionally mandated recruitment procedures is unacceptable. “Public institutions must uphold meritocracy, fairness, and transparency. Attempts to bypass these principles undermine the aspirations of deserving candidates and damage public trust. The justification of “academic exigency” must not override constitutional obligations. Governance must engage in transparent dialogue and uphold due process to ensure that recruitment remains competitive and just,” expressed the Union.
“With many of our brightest minds pursuing higher studies (Read: Masters/PhDs) and preparing for these crucial exams, particularly in light of the recent unfair appointments, we remain unwavering in our commitment to preserving the sanctity of merit. To erode merit today is to undermine the very foundation of education and public service in our state, jeopardising the hopes and aspirations of generations to come,” the DENSU expressed.
It called upon the Government of Nagaland and the Department of Higher Education to revoke the December 17, 2024 notification and ensure that all appointments are made through open and competitive processes. The Union also appealed all youth organisations, student unions, and conscientious citizens of Nagaland to extend their support to this cause and stand in defence of fairness, merit, and the integrity of public institutions. “Your voice matters in shaping a just and equitable future. To those college student unions and groups that have issued statements in favour of the regularisation of contractual Assistant Professors, we respectfully urge a reconsideration of their stance. While we acknowledge the value of experience, it must not come at the cost of undermining competitive examination systems and constitutionally enshrined values. The long-term consequences of such actions will affect not only current aspirants but future generations as well,” stated DENSU.
Sangtam Scholars Association
The Sangtam Scholars Association expressed deep concern and firm opposition to what they describe as a gross violation of merit-based selection principles. Speaking on behalf of the association, Dr. Bongliba Sangtam, a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, China, and Dr. Apuchu Sangtam, an independent researcher with a PhD in Chemistry (CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat), expressed grave concern that such an action not only compromises the fairness anticipated in public employment but also sets a damaging example for future academic appointments in the state.
“We are not speaking out of personal interest,” said Dr. Bongliba. However, we believe it is our responsibility to speak up for our younger generation of well-qualified Naga Scholars. Many young Naga Scholars are willing to return and contribute to quality education in the state, but only if the system remains fair, competitive, and transparent. The Scholars further highlighted that the Assistant Professor positions fall under the Class I Gazetted category, which requires a strict selection process through written examinations or rigorous interviews by bodies like NPSC.
“Bypassing the right protocols could result in long-term setbacks for the education system in the state, and it will severely affect opportunities for deserving candidates in years to come,” stated the Association.
The Sangtam Scholars also cautioned that allowing such practices to go unchecked will discourage future Naga aspirants from pursuing higher studies.
“Today, we’ve reached a point where everyone is sincerely working hard, be it at the Master’s level or in a PhD by publishing articles, maintaining citations, and earning degrees with integrity. If public institutions in our state start endorsing shortcuts, the very spirit of academic excellence and fairness is lost,” they said. Referring to Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, which assures equality of opportunity in public employment, the Sangtam Scholars Association urged upon the Government of Nagaland and the Department of Higher and Technical Education to swiftly revoke their decision on the regularization of all 147 Assistant Professors and Librarians and establish a fair and transparent recruitment process. They also called on civil society groups, student unions, and concerned citizens to stand in solidarity and protect the integrity of Nagaland’s education system.
