The students’ union at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) stated that a gathering of students convened for a peaceful demonstration outside Mahanadi hostel on Tuesday evening as a component of the university strike.
During their demonstration outside Mahanadi hostel, where Sudhir Mishra’s film shooting was taking place, the students were observed holding dafli (daf) and chanting slogans while beating it.
The members of the students’ union accused JNU’s VC, Prof. Santishree D Pandit, is gradually selling out JNU, part by part.
Earlier in the day, students participated in a strike concerning various issues, such as the purported commercialization of the campus and delays in sexual harassment inquiries.
On Monday, the proctor and rector summoned JNUSU representatives for a discussion on the issues and urged them to end the strike. However, despite several rounds of talks with the administration, no concrete or promising gesture was assured by the JNU administration.
Following this, JNUSU continued with the previously declared strike. The JNU community actively participated in the strike, underscoring their diverse demands and the importance of the issues raised by the student body. Several schools, including the School of Arts and Aesthetics, the School of Language, Literature, and Culture Studies, the School of Physical Sciences, and the School of International Studies, heeded the call and observed the strike.
The Student’s Charter of Demands highlights immediate requests such as raising MCM (Merit-cum-Means) to Rs. 5,000, accelerating sexual harassment inquiries, ceasing commercial movie shoots, and discontinuing GRC intervention in elections. Student welfare demands prioritize prompt fellowship disbursement, streamlined claim procedures, restoration of deprivation points, and fair resolution of harassment cases. Fellowship claim demands entail discussions for MANF reinstatement, extending claim periods, and augmenting staff.
Admissions demands prioritize JNUEE, reducing the weightage of viva, and enhancing library facilities.
Accessibility demands underscore wheelchair accessibility and hostel allotments. Hostel or dorm demands advocate for renovations, reservation policies, and addressing water crises. Transport demands entail restarting bus services and increasing e-rickshaws. Collectively, these demands strive to improve campus life, accessibility, and academic opportunities for all students.