New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) Tuesday called off its 17-day hunger strike after the administration agreed to address several of its demands, including revoking the rustication of union office-bearers, withdrawing FIRs against students and reviewing the controversial chief proctor’s office (CPO) manual, which penalises protests on campus.
An administrative panel agreed that all FIRs against students will be withdrawn, while proctorial enquiries initiated during protests against anti-rustication measures and UGC regulations, as well as over hostel infrastructure, will be withdrawn, according to the minutes of a meeting held on Oct 19. Approved by JNU’s executive council on Nov 24, 2023, the CPO manual lays down rules governing student discipline and conduct. It drew widespread criticism for allowing fines of up to Rs 20,000, suspension and rustication for certain forms of protests, including demonstrations within 100 metres of academic and administrative buildings. Other assurances include structural audits of hostels and teflas, functional geysers in all hostels within two weeks, reopening the canteen in Centre for Spanish and Latin American Studies, extending school library hours until 9 pm and considering a 25% increase in the merit-cum-means scholarship.
The committee set up by the JNU administration is headed by Prof Vivek Kumar , dean of School of Social Sciences, and includes Prof Sudheer Pratap Singh, Prof Sharad K Soni, Dr Poonguzhali N, Dr Jaikhlong Basumatary and Dr Fauzia Firdous, according to the minutes. A committee comprising student representatives will review the CPO manual and recommend changes. Student representatives include JNUSU office-bearers and elected councillors. Student groups argued that the provisions curtailed dissent and campus protest. The administration also agreed to constitute committees to examine the reinstatement of JNU Entrance Examination in place of CUET, hostel reservation and functioning of the equal opportunity cell. An audit report on the cell is to be submitted within a week. The committee will also recommend discontinuing Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation’s role in the curriculum. Following the revocation of rustication, five students named in a university notice were asked to pay their respective fines immediately. The students on fast were hospitalised and given medical assistance Tuesday.