JNU Teachers Association backs students' protest, demand VC's resignation

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

JNUTA backs students' protest

"Firstly, we cannot disagree more with the view that the changes in the hostel charges are reasonable and necessary," stated the Association in a letter addressed to the Vice-Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar. It added, " Secondly, we hold you and the Administration led by you, responsible for the disturbed atmosphere of the campus today." It also reminded the VC of the referendum signed by the Association asking him to step down from his post.

Here is the entire letter:

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Students' protest march to parliament

Meanwhile, students were on a march towards the Parliament on Monday, demanding a complete rollback of the raise in hostel fees. Section 144 has also been imposed on the JNU campus and 1400 personnel have been deployed around the Parliament, as per sources. Sources report that almost 100 students who had been trying to break the barricades have been detained by the authorities. Currently, the students are reportedly moved back towards the campus and settled on the streets. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has set up a 3-member high-power committee to resolve the issues of the JNU students via dialogue.

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FIR filed against 10 students

Earlier on Sunday, Delhi police has lodged an FIR for 'defacement of public property' at Jawaharlal Nehru University. The police have named ten students in the FIR under section 3 of Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Act. JNU had filed two complaints against vandals who had defaced the campus and desecrated the soon-to-be-unveiled statue of Vivekananda. Police has have reportedly identified seven JNU students who had defaced the Vice Chancellor's office with objectionable remarks. On Wednesday, JNU administration announced a partial rollback the hostel fees -   a 50% concession in hostel fee rates for students belonging to the Below Poverty line (BPL) urging students to go back to classes, as students continue to protest.

READ |JNU Vandalism : Delhi Police file FIR; 10 students named for property defacement

Why were the students protesting?

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

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