JNU students' hunger strike enters its 12th day. Students are at odds with the administration over issues including the continuation of hostel facilities, the reinstatement of JNUEE, increasing scholarships, and the removal of restrictions on protests.
Education: Several students, led by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU), have been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. The students say they are unhappy with the administration's attitude regarding their four main demands. They believe that the university administration is not paying attention to the legitimate demands of the students and is instead taking steps that could affect their education and research work.
First Demand: Continued Hostel Facility for Academic Extensions
The students' first and most important demand is that when a PhD student is unable to complete their research within four years and receives an academic extension, they should also be provided with hostel facilities. However, the university administration says that students will have to vacate the hostel after completing four years. This policy has created a fear among students that they might be evicted from the hostel before completing their research.
Second Demand: Reinstatement of the JNUEE Entrance Exam
The students' second demand is the reinstatement of the university's own entrance exam, JNUEE, for PhD admissions at JNU. Currently, there is a reliance on the UGC-NET exam for admissions, which, according to the students, weakens JNU's independent admission policy. Students believe that JNUEE was a more inclusive exam and promoted diversity.
Third Demand: Increase in Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
The students' third demand is related to economically weaker students. They say that the scholarship amount given to students of BA, MA, and other courses who are eligible for the Merit-cum-Means scholarship should be increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000. The students argue that Rs 2,000 is not sufficient in this era of inflation. However, the university administration says that they do not currently have the budget to increase this amount from the central government.
Fourth Demand: Removal of the Hostel Affidavit Requirement
The students' fourth demand is related to the memorandum they have to sign to stay in the hostel. This document states that students must express "gratitude on a humanitarian basis" to the administration and also mention the final submission date of their PhD. In addition, the affidavit also includes a condition that students will not participate in any protests. The students say that this condition violates their constitutional rights. If they do so, they may have to pay a hefty fine.
Administration's Response: Invitation to Dialogue
JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Santishree D. Pandit has appealed to the students on hunger strike to engage in dialogue. She recently sent an email message expressing concern for the students' health and said that many of the students' demands are not practically or legally possible.
The Vice-Chancellor says that the administration has limited resources and that many decisions are taken under the guidelines of the UGC or the Department of Higher Education. She urged the students to have peaceful conversations without endangering their health and to find a way out of the situation.
Students' Allegations
The Students' Union says that they submitted a memorandum of their demands to the Dean of Students (DOS) on July 7. They requested that hostel facilities be automatically extended upon receiving an academic extension. But in response, the administration asked them to fill out an affidavit making it mandatory to thank the university and state the final submission date. The students allege that the administration is using conditions and pressure instead of dialogue.
