JNU V-C seeks teachers’ cooperation to restore normalcy inside campus

NEW DELHI: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) ViceChancellor (VC) Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar on Friday, wrote a letter to the teachers requesting them to take extra efforts to convince protesting students that the changes in hostel charges are reasonable and vital for "financial viability of the hostels."

However, the students have rejected his plea.

Taking to Twitter, Jagadesh Kumar said, "It is our duty and responsibility to keep JNU on the path of becoming a globally renowned university for which peace and normalcy have to be restored in the campus. We should do our best in our mission of making JNU a place of learning and enviable recognition."

In the letter, he sought cooperation from teachers to maintain peace inside the campus. "The persistent agitations and protests by a section of students have adversely affected the university's normal academic and research activities," said Mamidala.

However, students call this nothing but a cry for attention. "He can talk to the media, spread lie, but he can't come and talk to us," said Alok, a PHD student outside the administration block.

On asking what they think of the VC'S letter, the member of JNUSU said, "We are going to burn the letters." The students also said they want the whole manual rejected, otherwise, they are going to keep protesting.

In his letter, the VC has also condemned the students for vandalising the admin block building.

Meanwhile, the administration has filed a complaint against students who vandalised the varsity's office, while the police claim it is going through it and no FIR has been registered. Speaking to

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South West) Devender Arya said, "They received a complaint in this regard. How

Post, Millennium

ever, no case has been registered so far."

Security persons outside the administration have, on the other hand, alleged that students entered the building forcefully. We're eight security personnel when hoards of students came and entered the building. They broke the glass of the door, while a few people were also injured," said a security personnel on duty.

According to the complaint, on Wednesday, students had painted various messages for the vice-chancellor inside the administration block as they barged inside the building to talk to him about the hostel fee hike. All doors and walls were smeared with paint with messages written all over them.

Students outside the administration building said that it is in a desperate bid that they had to pain the whole building. "We want to meet our VC and he is not here. It's been 20 days. I feel mentally harassed sitting here, demanding that he meet us," said Kumar, a PHD student.