JNU VC acknowledged hunger strike for first time, but refused to speak to rusticated students: JNUSU

New Delhi : Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Friday claimed that Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit acknowledged the ongoing hunger strike for the first time but refused to speak to rusticated students when she visited the protest site.

In a statement issued on Friday, the students' union criticised the vice-chancellor's public expression of concern over the health of the hunger strikers, alleging that the administration had not made any concrete efforts to hold negotiations. The union said the administration had communicated its interest in initiating another round of negotiations at 11 am on Friday, but no concrete steps had been taken to finalise the meeting.

JNUSU alleges VC snubs rusticated students

It accused the university administration of making public statements to create an impression of concern while failing to engage meaningfully with the protesting students. JNUSU reiterated that it was open to "mature, sincere and comprehensive negotiation", but alleged that the administration was delaying the process.

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JNUSU president Aditi Mishra alleged that the vice-chancellor briefly visited the hunger strike site in the morning and told the protesters that their demands had been fulfilled and they should end their strike. "When I came running to the site so I could speak to her, she got in her car and said she will not speak to rusticated students," Mishra said, asserting that the protest would continue until all demands were met.

The union also called on students to rally behind it and expose what it described as the administration's tactics. The hunger strike is part of the ongoing protest by students over their demands, including revocation of rustication of the JNUSU office bearers. The union said the agitation would continue until all demands were addressed.