65% students have paid new hostel fee, says JNU admin

NEWDELHI: Amid the ongoing registration boycott by a section of students, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Thursday further extended the deadline to register for the current semester till January 17. JNU vice-chancellor (VC) M Jagadesh Kumar said students had asked the administration for the extension.

Kumar issued a statement saying that nearly 95% of day scholars had cleared their semester dues and more than 65% of students staying in the hostels had submitted their fees as per the new charges. “Since January 15 was the last date for registering in the winter semester, there was a last-minute rush yesterday (Wednesday). Several students approached us to extend the last date for winter registration by another two days,” the VC said in the statement.

The VC said that the remaining hostel residents are returning to the campus from their homes. “All the schools and centres have announced their timetables and are working on conducting tests for those students who did not complete the last semester’s academic requirements. The university has been doing everything possible to help students continue their academic activities. A great number of faculty members are working to make sure that the academic interests of the students are addressed,” he said.

The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) has been boycotting the registration process for the present semester since January 1, demanding a complete rollback of the hiked hostel fee.

On January 5, a mob of masked people armed with rods and sticks attacked the campus, leaving at least 34 persons injured. Following this, the students’ union had announced the continuation of the boycott until the VC stepped down from his post.

The Union, last week, had announced it would register only if the administration allowed them to do so without having to pay the hiked hostel fee. The University administration refused.

The Union on Thursday reiterated that it would continue its boycott and requested students who had not registered to cooperate. In a statement issued late Thursday night, the JNUSU said, “The classes of the next semester cannot happen unless the backlog of the previous semester is cleared. The JNUSU will coordinate with the JNUTA (JNU Teachers’ Association) to undertake parallel classes on various topics immediately.”

The students’ union said it would intensify its ongoing campaign for the removal of the VC. “The JNUSU will undertake all manner and means of struggle to see to it that the students facing proctorial enquiries and punitive actions like suspension/eviction are not victimised and their registration is completed on a priority basis. We will take up various programmes and campaigns in support of public education and against the violence that JNU has had to face,” the statement added.