JNU VC defends handling of hunger strike, cites talks and twice-daily medical care for students

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration held two rounds of discussions with the protesters and was providing twice-a-day medical care to students sitting on a hunger strike, including rusticated students. A statement from JNU VC Santishree D Pandit has clarified this amid protests and students demanding redressal of their grievances.

Also, Rajya Sabha member John Brittas has written to the President Droupadi Murmu, seeking intervention over the indefinite hunger strike of students and Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) representatives.

JNUSU and other students have entered the 16th day of peaceful protest. JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, vice president Gopika, and 11 other students have been on hunger strike since October 3.

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JNU VC’s statement

According to the official JNU statement, the administration said that a committee, headed by Vivek Kumar, the dean of the School of Social Sciences, including other members, met the students at the VC’s office.

The first meeting held on October 9 lasted more than four hours, following which two groups sitting on hunger strike ended their protest after receiving assurances from the committee, it said. However, the two groups had refused to meet together and held separate discussions.

The next meeting, held on October 14, lasted for a few hours, and students decided to meet later on.

Later, the competent authority on behalf of JNU admin went to meet the protesting students on October 16, around 9 am, and found that no one was sleeping there. Medical care is being given to the rusticated students on humanitarian grounds and twice-a-day check-ups from Day one as per medical protocol, the statement added.

JNU: Property damage

“This administration has been the most democratic and humanitarian and never took extreme action against the rusticated students for destroying public property worth Rs.20 lakhs and violated all restrictions put on them, stayed on campus and participated in all protests which was also political, in violation of all rules and their bail conditions. This was bought from money given by Government of India, Indian Taxpayers," the VC statement adds.

Furthermore, the CMO has also been meeting the students on strike on daily basis to check their vitals and health condition.

The students have put forward 13 demands, including rolling back the chief proctorial officer (CPO) manual, revoking the rustication of JNUSU office-bearers, reinstating the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) and restoring the JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE).