JNU manual on protest curbs: Students write to V-C, ABVP burns effigy

The letter, signed by 13 students from five parties, flagged showcause notices issued to 16 students who had protested outside Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit’s official residence in September over a water crisis. Among the signatories are the JNU Student Union Secretary Mohammed Danish and presidents of multiple hostels.

The letter said students “have decided to extend no further cooperation with the Chief Proctor’s office” until the manual is withdrawn and unjust punishments revoked.

It said: “The five hundred-plus students who had participated in the peaceful protest near your residence on September 19, 2023 had dispersed after your assurance that the matter would be addressed with urgency. You had met with the presidents of the hostels the very next day at your office and discussed the matter with them. Despite this, a proctorial inquiry was initiated against JNUSU representatives and hostel Presidents.”

As per the new student manual, released earlier this week, holding dharnas, hunger-strikes, group bargaining or any other form of protest within 100-metre radius of any academic or administrative building at the JNU can lead to a penalty of up to Rs 20,000 or rustication and expulsion from the campus for two semesters.