The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has accused Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit of making misleading claims about the ongoing hunger strike on campus, disputing the administration’s assertion that medical care was provided to all protesting students, including those who have been rusticated.The students’ union alleged that its rusticated office-bearers were denied medical check-ups during the first six days of the protest. The allegations came in response to a statement by the vice-chancellor defending the university administration’s handling of the agitation.According to PTI, Pandit said the administration had held two rounds of discussions with the protesters and was providing medical assistance to students participating in the hunger strike. However, JNUSU has challenged the administration’s account, raising questions about the medical arrangements and the handling of negotiations.
JNUSU disputes claims of medical assistance to protesters
JNUSU claimed that its rusticated office-bearers did not receive medical check-ups during the initial six days of the hunger strike. According to the union, their vital signs were monitored by a private laboratory during this period.The student body’s allegations contradict the vice-chancellor’s statement that medical care was being extended to rusticated students on humanitarian grounds, with check-ups conducted twice a day from the first day of the protest.The dispute over medical assistance has emerged as a point of contention between the elected student representatives and the university administration, with both sides presenting different accounts of the arrangements made for the protesters.
Student union questions VC’s visit to hunger strike site
JNUSU also questioned the timing of the vice-chancellor’s visit to the protest site at around 9 am on October 16. The union alleged that the visit was intended to create the impression that only a small number of students were participating in the agitation.The student body maintained that hundreds of student volunteers and hunger strike participants had been present at the site round-the-clock. It also questioned why the administration had not informed the protesters before visiting the location or chosen to meet them in the evening.In her statement, Pandit said a representative of the university administration had visited the hunger strike site at around 8:50 am on October 16 but found no students present.The contrasting accounts have added to the differences between the university administration and the student union over the conduct of the protest.
What the JNU administration said about negotiations
Pandit said a committee appointed by the university administration had met the protesters on October 9, with the discussions lasting more than four hours.According to the vice-chancellor, two groups participating in the hunger strike subsequently called off their protests after receiving assurances from the committee. She said the groups had held separate discussions with the administration instead of meeting together.Pandit also said the administration had refrained from taking stronger action against the rusticated students despite alleged damage to public property estimated at Rs 20 lakh.The statement sought to defend the administration’s response to the agitation, while JNUSU has continued to question its handling of the protesters’ demands.
JNUSU reiterates demands over rustication and university policies
JNUSU has defended its position as an elected representative body, stating that its office-bearers have a mandate from around 9,000 students. The union has also raised allegations of irregularities in university recruitment and questioned the administration’s commitment to safeguarding public funds.The ongoing agitation centres on several demands, including the revocation of the rustication of elected JNUSU office-bearers and the withdrawal of the Chief Proctor’s Office (CPO) manual.The students are also demanding the revival of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) and the reinstatement of the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE).The dispute remains unresolved, with the student union and the university administration maintaining differing positions on the handling of the hunger strike, the provision of medical assistance and the progress of negotiations.(With inputs from PTI)