A day after the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Vice-Chancellor’s dramatic exit from the Academic Council meeting, the administration on Wednesday hinted at limited scope for negotiations with students in connection with the punishments awarded to them over the February 9 event.
The administration has appealed to the students to end the hunger strike immediately, saying the matter is sub-judice .
“The JNU administration appeals to the students to end the hunger strike immediately in view of some students moving the High Court on the issue of the high-level committee report related to the event on February 9,” the University said in a statement.
JNU had earlier this week formed a committee comprising Rector- 1, Rector-2, Registrar and Dean of Student’s Welfare to look into the demands of the students and invited them for a discussion.
However, the panel may take a backseat after Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya moved the Delhi High Court on Tuesday against the punishment orders.
The Court has now issued a notice to JNU seeking its response and directed that the date of deposit of the fine by Mr. Khalid be extended till May 30, the next date of hearing.
“The Court has asked the University to deposit all documents related to it for judicial scrutiny. Since the matter is sub-judice , the administration will abide by the Court ruling,” stated a statement by JNU.
Meanwhile, the indefinite hunger strike by the students entered Day 14 on Wednesday. One more student had to withdraw from the fast and was admitted to AIIMS after her health deteriorated on Tuesday night.
So far, 13 students, including JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and Mr. Khalid, have withdrawn from the fast, while seven others are still going strong.
An Academic Council meeting at the University was adjourned on Tuesday amid ruckus due to heated arguments between the students, teachers and administration over the February 9 issue.
While a penalty of Rs.10,000 has been slapped on Mr. Kumar; Mr. Khalid, Mr. Bhattacharya and Kashmiri student Mujeeb Gatoo have been rusticated for varying durations.
The administration hinted at limited scope for negotiations with the students
