JNU students ‘confine’ officials over mandatory attendance
STANDOFF JNU VC says officials confined in administrative block since 11am, students say they just want a dialogue
NEW DELHI: Jaw aharl al Nehru University students, led by the students union members, allegedly “confined” some university officials in the administrative block since 11 am on Thursday.
The JNUSU, however, denied the allegation and claimed that they were only “peacefully waiting” outside the building to have a meeting with the vice-chancellor and “raise questions about compulsory attendance policy.”
Till the filing of this report late on Thursday night, the officials were reportedly still “confined” inside the building.
A statement released by the registrar claimed the students had “blocked the way” of two rectors when they had tried to step out for lunch earlier in the day.
The students apparently also “chased” rector I back into the building when he tried to leave for a class around 4pm.
“The administration has repeatedly requested the students to let the officials get out. But they have confined them and are not letting them go out. They fear for their safety. The rectors were not allowed to go for lunch. Now rector I is feeling giddy and may require medical attention,” read a statement released by the JNU administration.
“We have not called the police yet. We are still trying to appeal to the students and sort this out amicably,” said Pramod Kumar, the registrar, who also added that top officials including the chief proctor and the first and third rectors were confined in the building.
He, however, could not confirm whether the V-C was inside the building or not.
JNU vice chancellor, M Jagadesh Kumar, did not respond to calls or text messages. He, however, tweeted saying that “Despite high court order not to hold any protests near JNU admin building, not only there is a huge gathering since morning, JNUSU led students have even confined the top officials of JNU within admin building since 11 AM... Taking the university to ransom and confining the top officials in admin building since morning is highly condemnable. Let us raise our voice against such unwelcome behaviour.”
The high court had banned protests within 100 metres of the administrative building of JNU, after students had confined officials during protests following first year student Najeeb Ahmed’s disappearance.
The JNUSU, however, called the allegations “lies” and released a statement saying that they were “peacefully waiting to meet JNU V-C and raise questions about compulsory attendance.”
“They don’t want any dialogue and are spreading lies. All university officials are freely moving in and out of the administration building,” reads their statement.
However, the president and the joint secretary of the union, both said that the students would “wait” outside the building until the V-C meets them. “We are just waiting here. (The officials) can have a dialogue and then go,” said Shubanshu Singh, JNUSU joint secretary .
Students had started assembling at “freedom square” outside the administrative block of the university from around 11am on Thursday and demanded the V-C meet them, as part of the ongoing agitations against the new attendance policy on campus.
The movement had gained momentum, after a new circular issued on Thursday said that students could claim their scholarships, appear for exams, or register for the new semester, only if they maintain the minimum required attendance.
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A group of JNU professors wanted to meet officials confined in the admin building to provide them with help and food. But the students did not let them go inside... Taking the university to ransom and confining the top officials in admin building since morning is highly condemnable.
M JAGADESH KUMAR, JNU V-C
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They don’t want any dialogue and are spreading lies. All university officials are freely moving in and out of the administration building. We are just waiting here. (The officials) can have a dialogue and then go.
JAWAHAR LAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION