UPDATE 8 p.m.
Report on Proceedings of the Academic Council (AC) Meeting, JNU, May 10, 2016:
In view of the emergency situation on the campus, faculty members of the Academic Council of JNU demanded that the issue of the hunger strike in response to unjust punishment of students (contained in the High Level Committee Report) the first item on the agenda. The Vice Chancellor adamantly refused this. His refusal was met with prolonged opposition by the AC members which eventually compelled him to agree to let the AC discuss the matter.
The overwhelming sense of the house was that the punishments are unjustified and excessive, and must be reconsidered. However, the VC was not willing to concede anything despite the hunger strike of the students entering the 13th day and many students being in serious condition. Instead of trying to resolve the crisis, the VC insisted that the matter could be discussed later.
In view of the emergency situation, the members of the Academic Council expressed deep concern and argued that a resolution of the matter could not be postponed any further. However, the VC hastily adjourned the meeting and left.
Therefore, the first Academic Council meeting chaired by the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Jagadesh Kumar, could not conduct any business. The responsibility for this lies squarely on the shoulders of the Vice Chancellor.
Subsequently, after the VC had left, the AC members passed a resolution regretting the VC’s adjournment of the meeting and stating that “the whole range of punishments meted out to students is excessive and that the harsher punishments such as rustication, suspension, banishment from campus, and exorbitant fines should be immediately revoked”. The AC members further resolved that the VC immediately implement this resolution. The response of the teaching community of JNU and the statement of the president of the union, Kanhaiya Kumar can be read here.
UPDATE 5.15 p.m.
Justice Manmohan of the Delhi High Court has stayed the fine imposed on Umar Khalid of the JNU, issued notice on a writ petition and directed the administration to produce all files related to the actions taken against students by May 30. That is when the petitions filed by Umar and another one by Anirban Bhattacharya will be ehard. Meanwhile the AC meeting began with the Dean(s) of various faculties and student representatives demanding a discussion on the controversial HLEC report. This was first denied and then allowed, after many objections were raised by the JNU VC Jagadesh Kumar. Three persons spoke on the report. The VC is reported to have adjourned the meeting without complete discussions when there were unconfirmed reprots of a no-confidence motion being moved against him. The meeting is still on.
Kanhaiya Kumar Offered a Fig leaf by JNU Admin: Offer to Withdraw Fine
50 Student Protesters Welcome VC with Fruits
Moments before the scheduled start of the Academic Council (AC) meeting at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) at 2 p.m. on May 10, the Proctor of the university in a letter given to JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar has offered to ‘withdraw’ the Rs 10,000 fine imposed upon him by the ‘High Level Committee.” Student representatives and the JNUSU has been firm that not just the fine but the irrational punishment, including rustication imposed by the HLEC should also be withdrawn. Sabrangindia spoke to several student representatives and it is not yet clear whether other students have also received similar ‘offers’ in writing.
As the Academic Council meeting is about to start, about 50 protesters, at both entrances of the venue of the AC meeting, are waiting for the VC with fruits!
An indefinite hunger fast was launched by student leaders of the JNU on April 27-28 after this report became public. Basic procedures were not followed in this enquiry it has been alleged.
The AC meeting will have representatives of the four elected student representatives (Kanhaiya Kumar, president, Sehla Rashid, vice president, Rama Naga and Saurabh Sharma, the seven Deans of the different faculties, chairpersons of centres and institutes. Two ‘observers’ will, in all probability, be chosen by this administration that has the backing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed Modi regime at the centre. This meeting is expected to be stormy as it will undoubtedly focus on the ‘High Level Committee (HLEC) report.
Meanwhile , the JNU Students’ indefinite hunger strike enters its twelfth day: Ketone counts have gone up, Weight goes down, Morale is however miles high. Media ‘fatigue’ or ‘apathy’ is evident because the crusading news anchors are no match to hunger striking students when it comes to stamina, and, may we say, courage. The JNU Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) also began its relay hunger strike Saturday and is fully backing the demands of the students for the complete withdrawal of the HLEC report with its punishments and fine.
The JNU VC, first issued a May 4 letter declaring the hunger fast to be unconstitutional. Thereafter on May 6 he issued a controversial notice to both the JNUSU and JNUTA ‘not to allow outsiders on campus.’ Strangely however, the VC, proctor and registrar that have clear leanings with the RSS have had no problems allowing rough hands owing allegiance to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) who are not JNU students led by DUSU President Satender Awana coming inside JNU, to the Administrative Block and abusing not just the students on hunger fast but also women and girls with filthy sexual abuse. Satender Awana has reportedly threatened in a public gathering at Jantar Mantar that his followers will enter JNU and shoot student leaders (Will chop off legs of anti-nationals in JU, say ABVP activists:HT). JNUSU and other students have told Sabrangindia that these are not merely a threat, many student leaders have faced physical violence by right wing lumpen elements time and again. Yet Awana is allowed free access inside JNU.
Meanwhile, Anirban Bhattacharya and Umar Khalid, who have been rusticated by the university, have approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the move. The two pleas have been filed through advocates Jawahar Raja and Tridip Pais. They are likely to come up for hearing on May 10 itself.
Meanwhile a strange silence, almost a media black out continues, with the exception of Ravish Kumar’s NDTV India show. For the first nine days there was a strange apathy in the print media as well. This has somewhat changed over the past few days. Today The the Indian Express reports that the JNU administration may set up a four member committee “discuss issues related to students and teachers who have been on hunger strike”. “The JNU administration yet again appeals to the students to end their strike and come forward for a discussion of their demands. The Vice-Chancellor has decided to form a team consisting of Rector-1, Rector-II, Dean of Students and Registrar to discuss issues related to students and teachers who have been on hunger strike,” said a statement by the university.
“Students and teachers are urged to end the hunger strike immediately due to worsening weather conditions and deteriorating health of the students. Solutions can be found only through peaceful dialogue and discussion and not through measures that can also have a long-term impact on health and adversely affect academic life on campus,” it added.
The Hindustan Times has an editorial on the issue.
Images taken, with thanks, from the ‘We are JNU‘ Facebook Page, and the ‘Mothers Stand with JNU‘ Facebook Page
Some students continue the indefinite hunger fast while those whose health has deteriorated have withdrawn.
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