– Mita Mukherjee

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) will continue their ongoing indefinite hunger strike till the authorities accede to at least four main demands of the union including reinstatement of Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination (JNUEE) which has been replaced with a UGC-NET-based entrance test.

The other demands include revocation of hostel eviction notices for PhD scholars on academic extension, increasing the merit-cum- means scholarship, scrapping the rationalising committee reportedly reviewing scholarship norms and revoking proctorial inquiries.

” We will not withdraw our movement till our demands are met.The hunger strike will continue, ” Nitish Kumar, president JNUSU told EducationWorld on Wednesday.

The hunger strike entered the 13th day today.

Kumar, a member of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), was taken to Safdarjung Hospital after complaining of chest pain on Monday night. He rejoined the strike after being discharged.

Kumar said the union is determined to continue the agitation and the general body of the union will hold a meeting on Wednesday night to chalk out their future plans on on how to continue their movement.

Another important demand of the union is automatic extension of hostel accommodation rights to research scholars who have received academic extensions to complete their PhDs. Kumar said that hostel accommodation will have to be provided to all research scholars till their PhD submissions.

Kumar said they have appealed to the teachers of JNU to stand in solidarity with their union and participate in their protest at least for a day.

The primary demand of the JNU students is the reintroduction of the JNUEE as according to them it is important for the institution to maintain its diverse and inclusive culture.

The University Grants Commission (UGC)- NET- based admission process is not in tune with the specific academic culture of the university and it dilutes the accessibility that JNUEE extends to students from the marginalised and diverse backgrounds, the student body has said in a open letter to the faculty members.

According to sources, nearly 235 students joined the mass relay hunger strike since the protest began on June 26.

Five students including union president Nitish Kumar started the indefinite hunger strike. JNUSU vice-president Manisha and councillors Abhisek and Sunil have also participated but had to withdraw due to health problems.

“We are not satisfied with the authorities’response to the demands so far. Therefore, we will continue our movement,” Abhisek Kumar told EducationWorld.

Also read: Calcutta High Court orders closure of all student union rooms