Provocative slogans were shouted by outsiders: JNU probe panel

New Delhi Provocative slogans at the controversial February 9 event on JNU campus were raised by a group of outsiders a highlevel inquiry committee of the varsity has said noting it was unfortunate that the students allowed that to happenIt said holding of the event despite cancellation of permission was an act which amounts to willful defiance The panel has also pointed out lapses on part of the universitys security unit saying it did not make any efforts to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans and stop them from leaving the campusABVP activists protest against an event at JNU supporting Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in New Delhi File PicPTIThe organisers disobeyed the instructions from the administration about not holding the event This amounts to willful defiance It is most unfortunate that the organisers allowed the event to be taken over by a group of outsiders who created a charged atmosphere by raising provocative slogansThis act by outsiders has brought disrepute to the entire JNU community the report of the fivemember panel said The committee also notes that none of the JNUSU officebearers acted with due responsibility The officebearers had to behave with even more restraint and caution befitting the position they holdThey need to rise above the politics and other differences as they represent the student community It is unbecoming of student representatives that they should be found engaging in disorderly conduct or condoning it it addedThe report has two sections findings and recommendations The section of findings has been shared by the university with 21 students who have been issued a showcause notice in this connection the recommendations have been kept out of public domainHighlyplaced sources in the university had said that the panel which submitted its report on March 11 has recommended rustication of five students including JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya who are facing sedition chargeWhile the panel has identified a few students guilty of procuring permission from the university on false pretext it has also noted that the Dean of Students DoS should have withdrawn the permission in writing and not by sending text message to the Chief Security OfficerIt has to be noted that since the event had taken place in 2015 as well the Deans office was not vigilant enough to anticipate and prevent this event Security did not make any efforts to stop outsiders from shouting provocative slogans and prevent them from leaving the campus the report saidThe report also said that the group of outsiders had their heads and faces covered A meeting of the universitys top brass chaired by the Vice Chancellor today discussed the report following which the varsity issued showcause notice to 21 students including Kanhaiya and Umar who were found guilty of having violated university rules and discipline normsThe committee was formed on February 10 to probe the event organised to protest hanging of Afzal Guru the Parliament attack convict Kanhaiya Umar and Anirban were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the programme Kanhaiya was released on bail from Tihar on March 3 while Umar and Anirban are still in judicial custodyThe university had on March 11 revoked the academic suspension of eight students including Kanhaiya after completion of the probe by the fivemember panel It was decided to keep them under suspension from academic activities till the inquiry was over However they were allowed to stay in the hostelsThe panel which was granted three extensions before it finally submitted its report also faced difficulties in the probe as students refused to depose before it demanding that the inquiry be constituted afreshThe varsity however turned down the demand and maintained that the students will be given three chances to appear before the disciplinary committee and if they fail to do so the panel will finalise its recommendations on the basis of evidence availableThe university authorities maintained that a final decision regarding the quantum of punishment will be taken on basis of the reply sent by students to showcause notices by tomorrow evening