JNU protests: Delhi Police issues ultimatum; students demand rollback of fee hike for all

As JNU students on Monday held a massive protest march till Parliament demanding a complete rollback of hostel manual, Section 144 has been imposed. Stopping students at Jor Bagh area, Delhi Police issued a last ultimatum to students urging m to t move forward, even as students continued to raise slogans against m. Sources also informed that Delhi Police is ready at location with water canns and have reportedly lathi-charged students.

Earlier in day, sources said that as many as 50 students who were attempting to break barricades were detained. Ministry of Human Resource Development has set up a 3-member high-power committee to resolve issues of JNU students via dialogue, said sources. Reportedly, 1400 personnel have been deployed around Parliament.

What are students demanding?

JNU students marching towards Parliament as winter session commenced on Monday, are demanding a complete rollback of fee-hike for all in JNU. y allege that crores of money for secondary and higher cess have t been utilised, quoting CAG report. y are against National Education Policy claiming that it closes door on public-funded education. y are also opposing fee hike in IITs, CBSE, Navodaya Vidyalaya, medical colleges in Uttarakhand, etc. 

READ: JNU issues tice and asks students to clear mess dues by vember 14

JNU Teachers Association Backs Students

Backing JNU students protesting against Hostel fee hike, JNU Teachers Association on Monday, have held Administration responsible for 'disturbed atmosphere of campus'. Disagreeing with JNU administration's hike in hostel charges, it has slammed administration for t engaging in any dialogue with students. Furrmore, y stated that hike in hostel charges was a step in destroying character of JNU as a public institution.

"Firstly, we cant disagree more with view that changes in hostel charges are reasonable and necessary," stated Association in a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar. It added, " Secondly, we hold you and Administration led by you, responsible for disturbed atmosphere of campus today." It also reminded VC of referendum signed by Association asking him to step down from his post.

Hostel fees rolled back, JNU students call it 'eye-wash'

On Wednesday, JNU administration anunced a rollback hostel fees after massive and continuous protest by students. Anuncing rollback on Twitter,  Education Secretary R Subrahmanyam said that JNU executive committee has rolled back fees that was hiked. Secretary also added that it is time to go back to classes as JNU executive committee has proposed a scheme for ecomic assistance to EWS students. 

READ: Naqvi condemns JNU scuffle, says, "students should t get violent"

This comes after students last week held a protest outside UGC and submitted a memorandum of ir demands to EC members. students led a massive protest since Monday morning at convocation venue against  "anti-student" policies of varsity's administration. While administration barricaded area outside auditorium, clashes were reported between forces deployed for security and JNUSU students.

However, JNU administration alleged that way in which students protested was 'undemocratic.' y also alleged that some outside students have been a part of protests. Addressing press on Sunday,  JNU administration alleged that many of m were held host and were harassed by students.

Why were students protesting?

students' union has been on a strike against Draft Hostel Manual which was approved by Inter-Hall Administration. y claim that manual has provisions for fee hike, curfew timings and dress code restrictions for students. y have said y will t end strike till Hostel Manual is withdrawn. It is said that after fee hike is implemented, JNU will be most expensive Central University. 

READ: JNU issues tice and asks students to clear mess dues by vember 14

Controversy over alleged vandalism 

Earlier on Thursday, objectionable and abusive remarks were written around a soon-to-be-unveiled statue of Swami Vivekananda on JNU campus amid student protests. Soon after incident, JNU released an official statement condemning act and assured that strict action will be taken against those involved. While student union has maintained that y were t involved in incident and had reportedly washed off written remarks after it came to light, Delhi Police has lodged an FIR on Sunday. Earlier, JNU administration also had filed two complaints against those who had defaced VC's building during protests.

READ: JNU Protest: Section 144 imposed, 1,400 security personnel deployed in area