Students’ Union trying to ‘misinform, misguide students’, says JNU administration

The JNU administration had banned the entry of outsiders in hostels after violence erupted last week on the campus. The students’ union had been vocal in criticising the administration for imposing curfews and had said various hostels would boycott them.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Monday accused the Students’ Union of trying to “misinform and misguide students and creating an ambience of fear and discomfort in the campus”.

Members of All India Democratic Students' Organisation and various other groups protest against ABVP for allegedly indulging in violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, in Delhi University on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

Violence had erupted on the JNU campus last week after a united front of Left student groups won all four central panel posts in the union defeating the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad by considerable margins.

After the incident, entry of outsiders in hostels was banned. The students’ union had been vocal in criticising the administration for imposing curfews and had said various hostels would boycott them.

In a statement, the administration condemned the statements made by the students’ union.

“Their harmful campaigns try to suggest that a regime of surveillance is in place and that freedom of students is being restricted. Necessary and lawful steps are being taken to prevent illegal entry of undesirable elements and the bonafide students’ cooperation is imperative,” the varsity said in a statement.

Instead of extending cooperation for maintenance of peace and prevention of unlawful activities some student leaders appear hell bent on making political capital out of prevailing situation in the campus, the statement added.

“The administration received complaints from residents of various hostels of unauthorised visitors disrupting normal lives and reports about scuffles and attempted violence were also received,” the statement said.

The students union is trying to “misinform and misguide the students and creating an ambience of fear and discomfort in the campus”, it said.