JNU bars students from union office

University issues circular saying permission required to use the office from now on; students protest

JNU bars students from union office

University issues circular saying permission required to use the office from now on; students protest

Don't be surprised if you go to the student's union office in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and find a big lock outside the door. Apparently, a circular was issued in the name of the Dean of Students Prof. V K Jain on Friday, declaring that as there is no elected JNU Students Union (JNUSU), students will have to seek permission from the administration to use the office of the JNUSU from now on.

Representative pic

Student leaders claim that recently there have been a number of anti-student steps taken by the dministration contrary to the democratic culture at JNU."The Dean of Students' Office, it seems, has taken it as a task to continuously provoke the student community. Every month blatantly anti- student dictates are issued from this office. This time the administration has decided to rub salt on the wounds of the students. The SFI condemns this move in the strongest possible terms," said P K Anand, secretary, Students Federation of India (FSI).
However, officials from the dean's office say that "the office is lying vacant. Students are making an issue out of nothing".

Students from various unions like SFI and All India Students Association (AISA) are distributing pamphlets across the campus and holding meetings to get the office back.

Why delay?
"It is not surprising why the administration has hit this idea almost three years after the JNUSU elections were stayed. The recent move by the administration of stopping the JNU Forum against War on People from holding a public meeting in JNUSU office has evoked widespread criticism," said Lenin, president, SFI.

Protesting student leaders believe the mere absence of an elected JNUSU does not mean the JNUSU has ceased to exist. The JNUSU Constitution declares every student of the university as a member of the JNUSU and therefore they have full rights to use the JNUSU office.

"We appeal to all students and student organisations to unite against this move. A united effort must also be made to unite other sections of the university community so that the administration withdraws this circular immediately," added Lenin.