Will take stringent action if we identify culprits: JNU to Vivekananda statue vandals

After a soon-to-be-unveiled statue of Swami Vivekananda on JNU campus was vandalised on Thursday as student protests continued over the hostel fee hike despite a partial rollback, JNU has released an official statement condemning the act and has assured strict action against the culprits. The statue, which is covered in saffron cloth, is located at the university’s administrative block.

The statement reads: 

Vandalising Swami Vivekananda statue is the most despicable act one can commit. Swami Vivekananda is India's youth icon. Disrespecting him in University by some miscreants is not all acceptable. If we identify those culprits, stringent action will surely be taken by the Chief Proctor. 

JNUSU denies vandalism charge

In yet another twist in the JNU protest, Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Thursday distanced itself from the acts of vandalism which have been happening in the university since Wednesday. In a statement released by JNUSU, the union has said that their movement is against the fee hike and the imposition of a draft hostel manual without consultation is a democratic movement against authoritarian ways of administrative functioning. Denying their involvement JNUSU members said, “The acts of vandalism are a conspiracy to defame the university and its democratic culture by right-wing forces."

JNU students continue to protest

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students continued their protest against fee hike and were seen raising their demands at the JNU administrative block. The students are not happy with the partial rollback in hostel fees and other charges announced by the JNU administration on Wednesday and want a full rollback. "Today, the Executive Council met and decided that we will not put in the new hostel manual the clause relating to timings in the hostel. The clause relating to the dress code will also not be a part of the manual," Vice-Chancellor Mamidala Jagadish Kumar said.

READ | JNU may file police complaint, act against vandal students: Sources

JNU fees 

Earlier on Wednesday, according to a press note by the administration, the room rent for single-seater rooms will be kept to Rs 600 per month, while it will be Rs 300 for those students who come from the below poverty line (BPL) category. Similarly, the room rent for double seater rooms has been kept at Rs 300 per month for all while it is Rs 150 for eligible BPL category students. The BPL category students will also have to pay half of the service (mess and sanitation services etc) and utility (water and electricity) charges while the other students will have to pay it in full.

READ | JNUSU denies vandalism charge, calls it a conspiracy by the university itself

The refundable mess security has been left untouched at the existing Rs 5,500 mark instead of the proposed Rs 12,000, while the other charges too have been left untouched. The Executive Committee also decided to skip norms governing hostel life, which detailed entry timings of students and the dining hall rule in the new hostel manual.

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