JNU answer to protests: Fine of Rs 20,000, even expulsion from campus

The manual also outlines punishment for “organising events such as freshers’ welcome parties, farewells or DJ events” on the campus without prior permission. Students holding such parties face either a fine of Rs 6,000 and/or may have to carry out JNU community service. The manual also prohibits any form of protest around the residence of any member of the university.

While the JNU Students Union in a statement said Monday that the “stringent measures outlined in the manual are aimed at stifling the vibrant campus culture that has defined JNU for decades”, university authorities said the rules have been the same for decades and now they have only been “fine-tuned”.

JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit told The Indian Express: “These are the same rules that have been in place since 1969, I have not brought in any change to these rules. The rules are just fine-tuned and made legally sound on the directions of the Delhi High Court.”

“I never punished any student for protesting nor will I ever punish them for that, rather I have saved them from the last regime and I have closed all cases from 2016 to 2022,” she said. “We have only fine-tuned it (the rules) to keep with the Delhi High Court decisions… We have made it legally sound-proof. As the Chief Proctor’s office is a legal body, we just put it in legal language.”

When asked about the Rs 6,000 fine on holding parties on campus without permission, Pandit said, “There have been drugs and alcohol at freshers parties on campus. There was violence at a birthday party in Narmada hostel 9 months ago… To ensure situations like these don’t occur on campus, we have brought in these rules. Maintaining law and order on campus is my responsibility.”

According to the manual, “It was strongly felt to review the existing disciplinary rules and regulations of the Office of Chief Proctor. There are no substantially approved rules and regulations on proper conduct and discipline of students by the statutory body (i.e Executive council) of JNU in vogue…”

Chief Proctor Janardhana Raju said: “The decision on this document was taken by the Executive Council of the university.” He did not elaborate.

Brahma Prakash Singh, an elected Executive Council member and Assistant Professor at the School of Arts and Aesthetics at JNU, however, said the matter was not deliberated upon properly at the meeting, and due process was not followed before releasing the rules.

“The minutes of the meeting are not yet confirmed and approved by the EC members. It is really unfortunate that the JNU administration has circulated the document without approval of minutes. The last date to submit comments and observations on the matter is December 12. This shows that the due process was not followed to bring the notice to the public. EC members are taken for granted,” he told The Indian Express.

“Even the agenda was not properly discussed in the academic council meeting. It was merely reported without any democratic deliberation. Most unfortunately, the students’ union does not have representation in any of these bodies (a statutory provision), it also curtails their voices and views in the deliberation. We will submit our dissents and would also like to know how the document was made public without confirmation from the EC members,” Singh said.

In its statement, the JNU Students Union said, “Such excessive regulations are intended to discourage open discussions, dissent, and intellectual exploration, which are fundamental to the spirit of our university. According to the new manual, protests before any academic building can lead to rustication, eviction from the hostel and a fine of Rs 20,000. Moreover, a student who commits any act that the JNU Admin considers to be of moral turpitude can be fined up to Rs 10,000.”

“Moreover, any act that the VC or any ‘competent authority’ considers to be an act of indiscipline can lead to rustication, eviction from the hostel and a fine of Rs 20,000. Wall posters and graffiti, which the JNU Admin considers defacement, will lead to expulsion, rustication, eviction from the hostel and fine of Rs 20,000,” it said.

“The JNU Chief Proctor manual lacks clarity on several crucial aspects, leaving room for misinterpretation and arbitrary implementation. Such ambiguous rules can lead to unfair and discriminatory practices, jeopardizing the rights of individual students,” it said.

Demanding immediate revocation of the manual, the JNUSU said, “Decisions affecting the entire student community should be made collectively, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered. We appeal to the student community to stand united against the attempts of the administration to impose the new dictatorial CPO manual and come together to protect the essence of JNU – a space that fosters critical thinking, inclusivity, and the fearless pursuit of knowledge.”

In March this year, JNU issued a notification stating that students taking part in hunger strikes, dharnas or protests will face a fine of Rs 20,000 and those found engaging in “intimidation or insulting behaviour” could be fined Rs 50,000 and even face rustication. This was withdrawn by the varsity amid criticism by students across the political spectrum.

Here’s a look at the fines imposed by JNU under the new rules: