Peace prevails on campus, no agitation, JNU tells HC

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Thursday told Delhi High Court, peace prevails in the campus with classes going on smoothly and no agitation is going on against the 75 percent compulsory attendance rule for students.

The JNU’s submission came on a query by Justice Rekha Palli regarding the status of protest by the students and teachers in the campus.

“It’s peace now after several months. Nobody is agitating. Classes are going on smoothly,” said Central Government standing Counsel Monika Arora , appearing for the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

The court had earlier termed the holding of classes on stairs in the campus amid the agitation as “unfortunate and sad”. Students were agitating against the decision of making 75 per cent compulsory attendance rule.

The court was hearing a plea by five professors of JNU’s different disciplines challenging the December 12, 2017 decision of the varsity’s Academic Council (AC), making 75 per cent attendance mandatory for students.

In their plea, the five professors have alleged that the decision was taken on the basis of “false and illegal minutes” contrary to the agenda and the proceedings of the 144th meeting of the Academic Council.

 They have also challenged the decision to replace them by an acting dean and acting chairperson saying it was arbitrary and illegal. During the hearing, the court asked the JNU’s counsel whether they were ready to reinstate them.

 The varsity’s counsel, assisted by advocate Kushal Kumar, said the teachers were replaced after they refused to implement the compulsory attendance, and if they agree to take attendance of the students, JNU was ready to reinstate them.

The lawyer said they were temporarily replaced till further orders and an enquiry committee has been set up to examine their refusal to abide by the AC’s decision.

The court listed the matter for April 27 for further hearing.