Scientists, dons back compulsory attendance in JNU

In their bid to start a nation-wide debate on the burning issue of mandatory attendance in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), teachers favouring compulsory attendance in classes, claimed to have garnered support from several eminent scientists and well known academicians from across the board.

According to this group; eminent agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan ; Dr. Girish Sahni, Director-General of CSIR ; eminent nuclear scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar ; Dr G Madhavan Nair ; “Metro man” E Sreedharan ; Omkar Rai, Director General of STPI ; Dr KG Suresh , Director IIMC; Prof Govardhan Mehta (former director IISC) and 12 others have “agreed in principle that there should be compulsory attendance in JNU,” said Professor Atul Kumar Johri of School of Life Sciences , JNU.

Teachers favouring mandatory attendance came out in open after JNU Students Union (JNUSU) claimed support of 98 percent students who are opposed to this policy.  JNUSU is backed by JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) on the issue.

The teaching community of JNU is of the opinion that the support from the acclaimed scientists and academicians from across the board will “potentially ignite” a nation-wide debate on issue of compulsory attendance with academic community of different universities and institutions being its part.

 “It seems that in the coming day’s academicians from all over the nation will be the part of the popular debate that has originated from JNU,” said a senior professor who does not wish him to be named.

 The above group of teachers claims to have support of 120 faculty members rallying behind their cause. This group tacitly supported by administration is gaining fast in numbers presenting a counter-narrative to the traditionally left dominated JNUTA’s view point. 

“Some of the teachers are in illusion that they are the real voice of JNU. Such teachers out-rightly reject any counterview or narrative different to theirs. These teachers are instigating JNUSU and other students to go to any extent for opposing the compulsory attendance,” said Professor Atul Johri. Some of these teachers narrated their ordeal saying that they were manhandled by the students who are opposing compulsory attendance at few incidences recently.

“What is happening now in JNU has never happened before. Classes and agitation have gone hand in hand but now they are threatening, pushing and abusing their own teachers who don’t support them and want to take classes,” said Professor Hari Ram Mishra, JNU.