Undeterred by the successive notices issued by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration warning office-bearers of JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) of disciplinary action for holding any protest within100 meters of the administrative block, the JNUSU pledges to hold “protest everyday at the administrative block till the mandatory attendance rule is revoked”, while the administrative watches in ‘helplessness’.
“We will come here and protest everyday till the administration rolls back the compulsory attendance rule imposed on us,” said Simone Zoya Khan, Vice-President, JNUSU. She also said that the movement started by JNUSU is slowing moving towards the “removal of Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar”.
In clear defiance of the JNU rules & regulations and High Court orders, which prohibits students from holding protest within 100 meters of administrative block — the area popularly known as Freedom Square and legally out-of-bounds for holding the protest and demonstration — the JNUSU in a blatant show of strength forcefully reclaimed its “freedom square” on Sunday after holding a “Mashal” march on the campus.
Yet again on Monday, the JNUSU, ignoring the latest notice by JNU administration, organised a “cultural resistance programme: remembering Faiz Ahmed Faiz” at the restricted area in which they protested against the VC and the attendance rule.
The notice by the Registrar Pramod Kumar on Monday said, “JNUSU office-bearers are advised not to hold the said protest within 100 metres of the Administrative block, which is a prohibited area within the university campus for holding such activity. This is violation of (Academic Rules and Regulations etc. and also directives from Hon'ble Delhi High Court.”
It further says, “The Administration expects you to respect and follow the statues, Rules and Regulations of University and directives from the court. Disciplinary action will be taken against violation of rules.”
While the JNU administration seems to be only “helplessly” issuing notices one after another without any avail and without taking any strong action against those who openly defy rules, questions are being raised on its alleged 'leniency'.
“Unless and until you identify and take strong action against few handful of trouble makers who are instigating other students against the attendance rule nothing is going to change. Merely issuing warnings will have no effect,” said a JNU teacher, requesting anonymity.
Since, JNU administration brought in the “compulsory” attendance rule the left ruled JNUSU is in agitation mode.
The JNUSU is spearheading the protest against the “mandatory” attendance demanding its roll-back and has incessantly targeted the Vice-Chancellor holding him responsible for it.
However, with both administration and JNUSU being steadfast on their stance, the common students are the ones who have emerged as the real ‘victims’ sandwiched in between JNUSU and JNU Administration.