HRD Ministry speaks to JNU admin as students' protest gets out of hand

As the protest by the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University took a massive turn after the students clashed with forces on Monday and demanded the JNU Vice-Chancellor to roll-back the hostel manual, the HRD Ministry has spoken to JNU administration. Earlier in the day, as per news agency PTI, Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal was inside the JNU campus and was not being able to come out of the venue. PTI reported that the Police is trying to speak to students to let his go. Meanwhile, office bearers of the Student Union were taken to speak to the V-C. 

READ: JNU students protest new hostel policies introcuding curfew, fee hike

The students are protesting against what they call the "anti-student" policies of the varsity's administration. While the varsity hosted its third convocation on Monday and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was the chief guest, massive protest is being staged by students of JNUSU  with banners that reads: "Say No to Fee Hike". The students' union gave a call to students to assemble in the campus, from there they marched to the AICTE auditorium, where the convocation is being held. While the administration has barricaded the area outside the auditorium, clashes are being reported between the forces deployed for security and JNUSU students.

READ: JNU admin clears 'rumors' about change in rules spread by students

Why are 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 They have said they will not end the strike till the Hostel Manual is withdrawn. The protest is also part of the students' agitation against the hostel manual and several other issues like restrictions by the administration on entry to Parathasarathy Rocks, attempts to lock students' union office, etc, they said.  Last year, the varsity held its second convocation after a period of 46 years. Last year, the students' union called for boycotting the convocation, accusing JNU VC M Jagadesh Kumar of "muzzling their democratic rights". The first convocation of the university was held in 1972, when G Parthasarathi was the vice-chancellor.

READ: JNU admin appeals to students to end strike over draft hostel manual

JNU administration appealed to end strike

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on November 8, appealed to students, who have been on a strike against a draft hostel manual, to allow the resumption of academic activities. In an appeal signed by the deans of various schools in JNU said that it is a matter of grave concern that academic life in the university has come under severe threat due to the on-going students' strike. "While the democratic and peaceful mode of protests, dissents and demonstrations are always welcome, the current stir has begun to affect the academic career of thousands of JNU students who come from all sections of the society," the varsity said. 

READ: JNU students protest hostel manual; clash with police amid convocation