As the Indefinite Hunger Strike, at JNU and Allahabad by Student Representatives Continues the Ministry for Human resources Development ( MHRD), the Government of India(GOI) and the University Administrations Remain Unmoved
Modi's Current Campaign Claims on Governance for the Youth are Belied by a Ruthless Intransigence towards protesting students. Even the police force has been used by the VCs of JNU, Allahabad and Hyderabad Central University against peacefully protesting students
Fourteen Students of JNU and Several Students of Allahabad University are on a Hunger Fast; the former have been fasting for eleven days and the latter for four days now
Fourteen Fasting Students of the JNU are determined to carry their battle forward, a battle against not just an unjustly produced HLEC Report, but the wider struggle for freedom and autonomy in universities, to the scheduled meeting of the university's Academic Council on May 10. A mass mobilisation seeks to ensure that the first item discussed is the unlawful manner in which the HLEC Report was prepared and punishments meted out. Sabrangindia has analysed this report in detail.
A recent diktat by the Jawaharlal Nehru University’s administration asking students to not invite outsiders for protest in the campus has not gone down well with the JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA), who have launched a protest against the administration by going on a hunger strike starting Saturday. “JNUTA had met the Vice-Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar two days ago with the hope of finding a solution to the on-going problem. However, to our utter shock, the JNU administration chose to threaten the teachers’ body on the basis of hearsay. JNUTA has so far not invited any individual or institution to join the hunger strike,” said Bikramaitya Choudhary, Secretary of JNUTA. “However, it would like to reassert that it is the privilege of an elected teachers’ body to call any institution or individual that it finds fit to speak in the university. It is well within its democratic rights,” he added.
‘Persecution based on perception’
In a circular issued on Friday, the JNU administration had said: “The JNU Administration has been holding discussions with the JNUTA, JNUSU and the students on hunger strike. It reiterates that the best way to resolve the issues is through dialogue and discussion. It requests all the teachers and students to avoid inviting people from outside the campus for any gathering or activity to press their demands, which could undermine peace and security in the campus.”
The JNUTA has made its stand clear. “No persecution to justify perception”, a huge banner near the protest site reads. “the administration cannot take action on students or threaten teachers only on the basis of perception.” “In our meeting with the V-C, he told us that there was a need for the punishments on the February 9 incident because of the larger perception against the students regarding the incident. Now this is what we have to oppose through our protest, there can be no persecution on the basis of perception,” Mr. Choudhary added. The relay hunger strike by teachers in support of the students can be viewed here, in pictures.
Meanwhile on Saturday, May 7, Alumnus of the JNU formed a Human chain on the campus. A group of JNU alumni also joined the protesting students and teachers and observed a hunger strike on Saturday. In the evening, a human chain was formed by students, teachers and alumni in front of the admin block, which has become the hub of all protests in the campus.
At least three Vice Chancellors, Jagadesh Kumar (JNU), suspended VC Appa Rao (HCU) and RL Hangloo (Allahabad) have, while freely allowing representatives of the RSS-affiliate Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on the campus, been with the help of police and the lathi, cracking down on students who articulate a secular, progressive and inclusive vision of nationhood. On March 22, a brutal lathi charge by the Hyderabad police on 32 students and faculty of the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) who had been peacefully protesting the sudden and inexplicable return of suspended VC Appa Rao to the campus, had invited widespread condemnation. The past ten days have seen extremely muted media coverage of the Student Leader protests in Indian print and television media.
This Post By Team Kanhaiyya indicates the spirit of this young students leader who has captured the imagination of the country. Despite his fragile health, he was determined to continue until doctors advised otherwise.
कन्हैया को आज भी डॉक्टर एम्स में ही रखेंगे। सीटी स्कैन व कुछ टेस्ट्स होने बाकी है । वे पहले से थोड़ा बेहतर महसूस कर रहे हैं, पर ज्यादा सुधार नहीं है। कन्हैया ने सभी शुभचिंतकों का शुक्रिया अदा किया है, और भूख हड़ताल पर बैठे हुए अपने सभी साथियों को अपना सलाम भेजा है। बीमार हालत में भी वे आज 2 बजे एड ब्लॉक पर होने वाले प्रोटेस्ट के बारे में पूछ रहे थे व भारी संख्या में छात्रों से जुटने की अपील की है। साथ ही केरल में दलित लड़की ज़ीशा का बलात्कार कर जघन्य हत्या कर दिये जाने के विरोध में बापसा द्वारा दिये गये प्रोटेस्ट कॉल पर केरल भवन के सामने 11बजे से होने वाले प्रोटेस्ट में शामिल होने की अपील की है।
Sabrangindia has been in close touch with the agitating students as also the representatives of the teacher's body, the JNUTA. This hunger fast is Kanhaiya Kumar's fifth fast in the space of one year making his close associates and doctors extremely anxious. Rama Naga too has fasted once earlier this year. JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, reportedly withdrew from his hunger fast on the 10th day due to deteriorating health.
Meawnhile, the JNUTA as also alumnus of the university have stood firmly with the agitating students.
Umar Khalid in this inspiring speech on the tenth day of his fast communicates the resolve of the young student leaders
In the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, the struggle of students agitating for both offline and online admissions has also taken a sharp turn A press release issued by Richa Singh, President of the Allahabad University Students Union (AUSU) says:
Indefinite hunger in University of Allahabad enters 4th day; health conditions of students have Deteriorated
· Hunger strike enters fourth day
· University administration refused to engage with students
· The VC left the campus and the city, when the conditions of protesting students deteriorated
· Samajwadi Party, Left, Congress and the BJP have extended support to protesting students and have sent sent their respective delegations to meet the fasting students
This press release says that even as the indefinite hunger strike in Allahabad University entered its fourth day the VC, instead of meeting with the students has reportedly left for Delhi. The health of President, Richa Singh and student leader Ajit Yadav worsened and they experienced vomiting on the fourth day of the hunger strike. Student Union, joint secretary Shravan Kumar has been admitted to hospital, after he became unconscious. Students have been protesting against compulsory online admission application and exam and have been demanding the offline admission option
along with online option so that aspirants from rural backgrounds are not eliminated.
President, Richa Singh said, “ The VC is adamant on imposing compulsory online admission application and exam on the name of ‘Digital India’. He is saying that to implement the P.M.’s dream project of Digital India initiative, he has taken this decision. I would like to ask whether Digital India will be compulsory imposed on people, when half of the country is suffering from drought. Prime Minister must intervene in the matter and should make his stand clear. “
Meanwhile, the agitation of the Allahabad students has spread to neighboring districts and protests in favour of both online and offline option took place in adjoining colleges located in rural areas. It is interesting that in UP, all political parties, including BJP have extended supported to student union. Along with political parties, on May 7, the Bharatiya Kisan Union also extended its support to the fasting students and their demands.
Tapan Kumar Sen Member of Parliament (MP) of the Communist Party of India-Marxist(CPM) raised the issue of offline option and police action against students in Allahabad University in the Rajya Sabha on May 5. On the same day K C Tyagi (JDU), Pramod Tiwari (Congress), Javid Ali Khan (SP), D Raja (CPI), D P Tripathi (NCP) and Tapan Sen (CPM) also released statement to the press in support of protesting and fasting students of the Allahabad University.
