JNU students form human chain; say ‘undeclared emergency’ in varsity

JNU students today formed a human chain and marched across the campus in New Delhi in protest against alleged corruption by the varsity administration, stating that

JNU students today formed a human chain and marched across the campus in New Delhi in protest against alleged corruption by the varsity administration, stating that an “undeclared emergency” has been imposed in the premier institute.

JNU Prashasan Building in New Delhi. (HT File Photo)

“The administration is trying to curb dissent at a time when students are already agitated by the corruption in current admission process,” JNU Students Association president Mohit Kumar Pandey said.

They won’t allow us to protest even at the admin block. This is nothing but an undeclared emergency, he said.

The students also raised the case of emeritus professor Prabhat Patnaik receiving a letter from the JNU registrar for violating rules by taking part in a lecture convened by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU).

Patnaik had received the letter on Thursday saying that he had taken part in the August 4 lecture convened by JNUSU President Mohit Kumar Pandey, whom the varsity termed as a ‘non-registered’ student.

“The meeting in which you addressed the gathering was convened by Mohit Kumar Pandey, who is not a ‘registered’ student of the university. It is expected from you that such violation of rules is not repeated in future,” the letter to Patnaik had said.

The students yet again raised questions on irregularities in filling up seats in M Phil and Phd courses at the varsity as well as nepotism in recruitments to centres.

“Protest is a democratic right. Students are protesting in the university because of serious problems on the administration’s side. But, instead of addressing our concerns, the authorities are trying to ban protest and threaten protesters,” Pandey added.