More than 200 students joined a mass relay hunger strike at Jawaharlal Nehru University on Thursday, backing the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union’s indefinite protest, which entered its 12th day amid demands concerning disciplinary action, admissions, campus safety and infrastructure.
The JNUSU is seeking the revocation of the rustication of its office-bearers and former president. It is also demanding the rollback of the CPO Manual, restoration of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination, and the reinstatement of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment, or GSCASH.
The union has further called for the reconstitution of the Equal Opportunity Cell in line with the Rohith Act. Its list of demands also includes the resolution of long-pending campus infrastructure issues, placing the protest partly in the context of the university’s institutional facilities and administrative systems.
According to JNUSU, the health of the students on indefinite hunger strike has deteriorated. The union said all the hunger strikers had reportedly lost more than 4 kg, while their blood sugar levels had fallen below the average range and ketone levels had reached 4+.
The union said three rounds of negotiations had taken place with the administration but alleged that no concrete response had been provided. It also alleged that the Vice-Chancellor had not met the protesters. The claims were reported by Millennium Post based on the union’s account; the supplied report does not include a response from the university administration.
The dispute brings together demands over disciplinary decisions, examination systems, mechanisms for addressing sexual harassment, equal-opportunity administration and unresolved campus infrastructure concerns. These areas affect how a large residential university is governed and how students access institutional services and support.
Those who expressed solidarity with the protesters included Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, AISA president Neha, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande and SFI Delhi president Nadia. Their participation added political and student-organisation support to the ongoing protest.
JNUSU’s indefinite hunger strike remains underway, with the union continuing to seek a response from the university administration on its demands. The next stated development is the administration’s response to the negotiations and the protesters’ requests.
