Various student groups at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) collectively on Friday submitted a memorandum to Vice Chancellor Santishree Pandit, urging the cessation of all ongoing inquiries against students involved in protests. The students allege that despite the vice chancellor’s assurance to address the matter, notices have been served to them.
The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU), backed by 11 members from different student organizations and hostel presidents, articulated their demand in a letter to the vice chancellor. They called for the reversal of all disciplinary actions initiated by the Chief Proctor Office (CPO) against the students and the withdrawal of the new university manual.
Additionally, the student outfits pressed for an official announcement regarding the commencement of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) elections.
The letter from the students expressed strong protest against what they described as vindictive actions by the JNU administration against elected representatives and activists. They argued that the revised CPO manual, penalizing 28 types of misconduct at JNU, infringes upon students’ democratic right to protest for their rights.
In response to the students’ allegations, the vice chancellor stated that inquiries were underway for students involved in rule violations as per the orders of the High Court. She clarified that fines imposed on several students during the 2019 fee hike protests had been waived.
“The show cause notices have been issued to those students who were found involved in rule violation as per the High Court order. We can’t do contempt of the court by not abiding by the rules. I have waived the fines imposed on many students for protesting over the fee hike in 2019. But if they continue to break the rules, then necessary action as per the rules and regulations will be taken,” she explained to PTI.
The vice-chancellor’s office emphasized that the new rules in the university manual, approved by the executive council in November, would not apply to old cases of rule violations by students. A senior official clarified that any rule-breaking after the implementation of the revised manual would be penalized according to the outlined regulations, while old and ongoing cases would be examined based on the previous rules.
According to the letter, the student outfits have decided to initiate “non-cooperation” with the entire JNU administration if their demands are not addressed before the commencement of the 2024 winter semester.
(With PTI inputs)
