JNU students' protest march to Parliament debilitates Delhi: Top developments

students of JNU have been protesting for last few weeks about new hostel manual which advocated a hike in hostel fees, dress code regulations, and curfew timings. While JNU administration anunced a partial rollback of some of contentious provisions, students expressed ir dissatisfaction. In morning, a large group of protesting students decided to march to Parliament demanding a complete rollback of hostel manual.   

Read: JNU Protests: Prahlad Joshi Condemns Parliament March, Calls It "unacceptable Behaviour"

Here are top developments on JNU student protest: 

1. On Sunday, JNU administration called upon students to return to ir classes and resume ir academic work. In a circular, it observed, "Administration appeals to JNU students to return to classes and labs and resume ir academic and research work so that losses incurred already on se counts may be compensated.” However, students did t pay heed to this appeal and continued ir protests on Monday. 

2. Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure has been imposed on JNU campus by Delhi police. More than 1400 security personnel were deployed ahead of students’ march to Parliament. Winter session of Parliament commenced on Monday.  

Read: JNU VC: 'Academic Activities Have Suffered Greatly, Students Should End Strike'

3. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Prahlad Joshi condemned behaviour of some of JNU students. He revealed that Human Resource Development Minister was also treated with disrespect. Joshi said, “One of our HRD ministers who visited JNU was also treated with disrespect, this behaviour of students is unacceptable.” 

4. Meanwhile,  Ministry of Human Resource Development has set up a high-power committee to resolve issues of JNU students via dialogue. tification issued by Ministry of Human Resource Development says, “With a view to restoring rmal functioning of Jawaharlal Nehru University through dialogue with all stakeholders and to advise university administration for resolution of contentious issues, Government has appointed a High Power Committee".  Committee was requested to initiate dialogue with students and university administration immediately and submit recommendations.  

5. JNU Teachers Association held administration responsible for 'disturbed atmosphere of campus'. It slammed JNU administration for t engaging in any dialogue with students. Association claimed that hike in hostel charges was a step in destroying character of JNU as a public institution. It also reminded VC of referendum signed by Association asking him to step down from his post. 

Read: CPIM Openly Supports JNU Protest; Says Police Instigating Violence

6. students' protest found resonance in Rajya Sabha. BSP MP Kunwar Danish Ali opined that  fee hike in Central University was a way to stop poor students from availing education. He said, "Since NDA has come to power, every institute is going under privatisation. y are w privatising Educational institutes too. JNU is an example. It is one institute where many poor come for education. This is condemnable. Poor students will have to leave ir education. I urge you to look into this so that poor students can complete ir studies." 

7. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also backed protests of JNU students on Monday. Furrmore, he condemned fee hike imposed by university administration citing ecomic status of students studying in JNU. Moreover, he pinned responsibility of law and order problem on authorities.  

8. Entry and exit points of multiple Delhi Metro stations near Parliament were shut down temporarily due to JNU student protest. Initially, it was anunced that trains would t halt at Udyog Bhawan, Patel Chowk, Jorbagh along with closure of entry and exit gates. Later, this restriction was extended to Lok Kalyan Marg station as well.   

9. While students alleged use of excessive force, Delhi Police PRO Mandeep Randhawa stated that allegations would be investigated. He said that attempts were being made to eng with students regarding ir demands and to convince m against taking law in ir own hands.

10. Some of agitating students were stopped and contained in  Safdarjung Tomb area. It was also revealed that around 100 students had been detained for showing ‘'aggressive defiance” to directions of police. In evening, police forcibly removed  JNU student protesters, who had brought civic life and traffic to a standstill, with an ambulance being among many vehicles forcibly held up.

Read: Detained By Students, JNU Prof Shares Ordeal Of Inhuman Treatment, Lack Of Compeer Support