Academic Council Meeting Fails To Resolve The Deadlock In JNU

Press Release

10 May, 2016
Countercurrents.org

In view of the emergency situation on the campus, faculty members of the Academic Council of JNU demanded that the issue of the hunger strike in response to unjust punishment of students be the first item on the agenda. The Vice Chancellor adamantly refused this. His refusal was met with prolonged opposition by the AC members which eventually compelled him to agree to let the AC discuss the matter.

The overwhelming sense of the house was that the punishments are unjustified and excessive, and must be reconsidered. However, the VC was not willing to concede anything despite the hunger strike of the students entering the 13th day and many students being in serious condition. Instead of trying to resolve the crisis, the VC insisted that the matter could be discussed later.

In view of the emergency situation, the members of the Academic Council deeply concerned and argued that a resolution of the matter could not be postponed any further. However, the VC hastily adjourned the meeting and left.

Therefore, the first Academic Council meeting chaired by the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Jagadeesh Kumar, could not conduct any business. The responsibility for this lies squarely on the shoulders of the Vice Chancellor.

Subsequently, after the VC had left, the AC members passed a resolution regretting the VC’s adjournment of the meeting and stating that “the whole range of punishments meted out to students is excessive and that the harsher punishments such as rustication, suspension, banishment from campus, and exorbitant fines should be immediately revoked”. The AC members further resolved that the VC immediately implement this resolution

Resolution passed by Members of the Academic Council, JNU, May 10, 2016

The overwhelming sense expressed in the academic council meeting held on May 10, 2016 was that the whole range of punishments meted out to students is excessive and that the harsher punishments such as rustication, suspension, banishment from campus, and exorbitant fines should be immediately revoked.

We are distressed by the fact that no deference was shown by the Chair to the opinions expressed by AC members, and the Chair adjourned the meeting abruptly and unreasonably.

We, the members of the Academic Council, resolve that all unreasonable punishments arising from the February 9th incident are revoked.

We resolve that the VC immediately implement this resolution.