Jawaharlal Nehru University students’ union members called off their 17-day indefinite protest after the university agreed to address demands involving student rustication, police cases, disciplinary rules, hostel infrastructure and representation in several committees.
The decision followed a meeting on Monday between student representatives and a committee headed by the Dean of the School of Social Sciences. The university agreed to revoke the rustication of five students, including JNUSU president Aditi Mishra, vice-president K Gopika Babu and general secretary Sunil Yadav.
In a notice dated October 19, SSS Dean Prof Vivek Kumar said the Vice-Chancellor had directed that the rustication orders be revoked with immediate effect. The students were advised to pay their respective fines immediately. The university also agreed to withdraw proctorial enquiries initiated during protests against the University Grants Commission regulations and hostel infrastructure concerns.
The administration will constitute a committee to review contentious clauses in the Chief Proctor’s Office manual, which sets out rules on student discipline and proper conduct. The committee will include a JNUSU office-bearer and an elected student representative.
The university also agreed to initiate structural audits of the Tapti and Mahi-Mandavi hostels and the Teflas cafeteria. Geysers in all hostels are to be made functional within two weeks, according to the terms recorded after the meeting. Other campus facilities covered by the agreement include a new canteen at the Centre for the Study of Law and Governance and keeping school libraries open until 9 pm.
The administration agreed to form a committee to examine the reopening of the Barak Hostel mess and the provision of WiFi. Another committee will consider the university’s hostel reservation system, while a separate committee will examine the Joint Entrance Examination. JNUSU office-bearers will be represented on both committees.
The university also agreed to recommend discontinuing Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation, an initiative that students said created difficulties for those without electronic gadgets and raised concerns about its curriculum. It will provide an audit report on the Equal Opportunity Cell within a week and reorganise the cell with JNUSU office-bearers involved in the process.
A 25% increase in Merit-cum-Means scholarships will be considered and recommended, the minutes of the meeting stated. The agreement therefore covers both immediate campus services, such as hot water, food and internet access, and longer-term questions involving disciplinary procedures, student representation and financial assistance.
In a statement issued on Monday, the university said committees had held discussions with students on October 9 and October 14. The administration said the students ended their hunger strike after assurances given during the October 9 meeting, while subsequent discussions continued on their demands. It also said the Chief Medical Officer had checked the health of students on strike daily.
The committee is scheduled to meet again after 14 working days to take forward the demands and discuss their implementation.
