JNU Admin is Spineless: Kanhaiya’s Response to Fines, Rustication

JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar said that JNU’s decision to suspend and fine students is undemocratic.

JNUSU President, Kanhaiya Kumar, responding to the rustication of three students and to the fines that have been imposed on him and other students, said that the high level inquiry committee which meted out punishment was “undemocratic” and that all communities were not adequately represented.

We demand the formation of a democratic entity. As the entire report was not available to students, we don’t know why action was ordered against us. The victims were not provided an opportunity to present their side of story. The report says that there was indiscipline in campus on 9 February. If that was the case, why were sedition charges slapped on us? The University administration is spineless.

Kanhaiya Kumar

The Left parties raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday and they termed the inquiry committee’s actions vindictive and vengeful.

Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said he had given notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to raise the “serious issue” of “arrogant” and “anti-democratic” actions by JNU authorities.

He termed the rustication of Umar Khalid for one semester, Anirban Bhattacharya till July 15 and Kashmir student Mujeeb Gattoo for two semesters as well as the Rs 10,000 fine on Kanhaiya Kumar as “vindictive and vengeful” action taken in an “unjust manner”.

This is part of the central government’s project to tamper with the rights of citizens... In the name of the Constitution, they are tampering with the Constitution itself.

Tapan Kumar Sen

D Raja (CPI) said Parliament cannot remain a mute spectator to the university rusticating students in a vindictive manner on the basis of “doctored and false” videos.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien expunged certain remarks of Raja against the university saying since its representatives cannot defend themselves, such harsh words should not be used.

Anand Sharma (Cong) said “we are worried how the atmosphere in one after the other university is being vitiated.”

The Chair could not give a ruling on the notice, as Congress members disrupted proceedings over dismissal of their party’s government in Uttrakhand, leading to adjournment of the House.

The students were penalised for taking part at an event in JNU where slogans were raised in support of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was hanged in February 2013.