‘Students in JNU are free to eat what they want’
NEW DELHI: Days after violent clashes broke out between students from Left- affiliated groups and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) over nonvegetarian food being served on Ram Navmi, vice-chancellor (VC) Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said that students on campus are free to eat the food of their choice without any restrictions.
In an interview to HT on Wednesday, Pandit said that a “political fringe” at the JNU campus was responsible for the incident on Sunday.
What’s your view on the April 10 incident of violence on campus?
First of all, I would like to make it clear that hostel and mess affairs are not handled by the administration. All the 17 hostels in JNU and their messes are run by the committees that consist of students and wardens. They themselves decide what they want to eat in a very democratic and decentralised manner. While everything was normal in 16 hostels, something in Kaveri hostel did happen that should not have. There was a havan planned by students on Ram Navmi, and on the same day an Iftar party was arranged by some students. All that happened after the havan concluded. Passions went up amid protests by students from both sides.
We actually don’t know if other issues led to what happened or if it was really the issue of what ritual or food should be there. But I visited the hostel the same night and met students from both sides.
A day before the incident, the warden of Kaveri hostel suggested avoiding non-vegetarian food on Ram Navmi. What do you have to say about that?
In all other 16 hostels, non-vegetarian food was served that day but nothing happened there. In JNU, we do not prescribe any type of diet or food habits. Anybody can eat what they want at JNU campus.
I, as the VC, believe what you want to have is your fundamental right, and you are free to eat whatever you want. We respect everybody’s food habits. The administration will never say that only one thing should be followed. Whatever has happened is very unfortunate. I also met the wardens and told them to be very careful in future.
Has the university ordered an inquiry into the matter?
Yes, we have ordered a proctorial inquiry into the April 10 incident. We have also submitted the report to the [Union education] ministry.