Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor has refused to give written assurance to accept the demands of students who have been on a hunger strike for 15 days. The students have been protesting the findings of the High Level Enquiry Commission (HLEC) report in connection with the February 9 incident.
Kanhaiya Kumar, along with 25 other students have been on hunger strike to protest the fines, suspension and punishments imposed on the students implicated in the incident in February, during which allegedly anti-national slogans were raised. The last date to pay the fines ordered by the Commission is on 13th May, and so the students penalized under the report might have to move the court individually.
The student and teacher community of JNU strongly believe that there should be no punishment when no crime has been committed. Jawaharlal Nehru Students’ Union (JNUSU) stands firm on its demand to scrap the HLEC Report and on the issues of OBC reservation, deprivation points and reduction of viva voice marks. The JNU administration is using the farce HLEC report as a tool to scuttle the struggle for social justice as well as a means for witch hunting students. We appeal to the student community to maintain calm and stay back in the campus during the summer break to intensify the agitation by using peaceful means of protest.Official Statement, Kanhaiya Kumar, JNUSU President
In the aftermath of VC’s refusal to meet the demands, the protesting students have decided to continue with their indefinite hunger strike. Earlier, JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar’s health had severely deteriorated because of the hunger strike, and five other protesting students had withdrawn from the strike due to health issues as well.
This development is the latest in the ongoing stand-off between the Vice-Chancellor and students in JNU. The High Level Enquiry Commission constituted by the administration of the University to investigate the February 9 incident had found students guilty of violating disciplinary norms.
Based on the findings of the Commission’s report, the university administration had rusticated Umar Khalid for one semester and Anirban Bhattacharya till July 15. Furthermore, a fine of Rs. 15,000 was also imposed on Khalid, while Bhattacharya was restricted from entering JNU campus for five years.
Also Read:
Five JNU Students End Hunger Strike, Kanhaiya’s Condition Stable
Kanhaiya’s Health Worsens as JNU Hunger Strike Enters Eighth Day
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)