IEEARC

Serious Questions Raised Over Governance, Academic Integrity, and Faculty Treatment at Pt. Shambhunath Shukla University

Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh:
A growing controversy at Pt. Shambhunath Shukla University (PSSU), Shahdol, has brought to light serious concerns regarding academic governance, administrative transparency, and the treatment of faculty within the institution—raising broader questions about the state of higher education systems.

Dr. Sunil Kumar, Former Visiting Faculty in the Department of Biotechnology and Founder & CEO of IEEARC Technologies Pvt. Ltd., has formally raised allegations of mental harassment, arbitrary administrative actions, and lack of due process within the university.

Dr. Kumar, who completed his education in Delhi (B.Tech and M.Tech in Nanotechnology), is a DST NIDHI Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) from IIM Ahmedabad and recognized as a Global Innovator with MIT Solve (USA). He has published research work, holds intellectual property rights, authored two e-books, and delivered several national and international talks.

After nearly 14 years of academic and professional experience, Dr. Kumar returned to Shahdol with the intention of promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance among students. However, he alleges that the institutional environment he encountered was “deeply concerning and structurally flawed.”

At the center of the issue are actions involving Dr. Praveen Sharma, Head of Department (Biotechnology) and Dean, along with Ms. Yogita Basene, Faculty Member in the Department of Biotechnology. The matter also involves the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ram Shankar Dubey.

According to Dr. Kumar, allegations regarding non-performance of duties were made against him by Ms. Yogita Basene. He claims these allegations were accepted by Dr. Praveen Sharma without any formal inquiry, written complaint, or independent verification.

He further states that he was instructed not to report to the department, effectively removing him from his role without any written notice, official order, or opportunity to present his side—raising concerns about violation of basic principles of natural justice.

The issue escalated when, according to Dr. Kumar, he was called to the office of Vice Chancellor Prof. Ram Shankar Dubey and accused of not performing any work without any documented evidence being presented.

Beyond individual allegations, the case has sparked wider concerns about systemic issues within the university, including:

• Absence of transparent evaluation and accountability mechanisms
• Lack of basic infrastructure and institutional support
• Administrative decisions taken without documented procedures
• A work environment perceived as hostile by certain faculty members

Dr. Kumar has stated that such practices not only affect individual faculty but also risk undermining the credibility of the institution and the broader higher education ecosystem.

He has called for an independent, high-level inquiry into the matter and urged authorities to ensure that governance in public universities aligns with established academic norms, legal standards, and principles of fairness.

As of the time of publication, no official response has been issued by Pt. Shambhunath Shukla University, including Dr. Praveen Sharma, Ms. Yogita Basene, or Vice Chancellor Prof. Ram Shankar Dubey.

IEEARC Official Director Ms Lalita Devi Stated that this is no longer a case of visiting faculty or individual but a nexus of people who control the university. The BJP government doing lot of stuff to empower education and entrepreneurship but these kind of people are reason of failure.