JNU admin appeals to students to end strike against draft hostel manual

New Delhi : The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Friday appealed to students, who have been on a strike against a draft hostel manual, to allow resumption of academic activities.

The students' union in turn appealed to the varsity to withdraw the controversial hostel manual. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has been on a strike against the draft hostel manual approved by the Inter-Hall Administration (IHA) which, it claims, has provisions for hostel fee hike, dress code and curfew timings.

In an appeal signed by the deans of various schools, the JNU said 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 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.

It said the semester-end exams are approaching and many students have to complete their assignments and term papers. "This disruption by the agitation is causing strain and anxiety among a large number of students who wish to participate in the academic activities Therefore, we earnestly appeal to the students to allow academic activities to resume normally," it added.

The varsity had issued a similar appeal to the students on Thursday as well. JNU vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar alleged that the students had illegally confined Vandana Mishra, associate dean of students, since Friday morning.

"Dr Vandana Mishra being kept in illegal captivity by some JNU students since morning. She is still confined in her classroom in SIS (School of International Studies) building. Her health is deteriorating. All Deans and Chairpersons have appealed to students to end strike," he said in a tweet. The students' body appealed to the university to withdraw the draft hostel manual and initiate discussions for a new one.

"This this is an appeal to the University Administration, to withdraw the Draft Hostel Manual and declare the IHA Meeting held on October 28 as null and void, and initiate a fresh discussion pertaining to the introduction of a new draft," it said. "This can only be done by convening a fresh IHA meeting, which should be conducted according to the due procedures outlined in current hostel manual," it said.