Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is angered by an early morning raid in its hostel rooms by the authorities, with students alleging that attempts are being made to malign the university’s scholars, especially its women.
The students said that 20-25 security guards led by JNU academic Buddha Singh entered the rooms, including those in the women’s hostels, on October 5.
“The wardens of various hostels came for raids after 5 am. JNU being a residential campus has always maintained its character and built an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. But this raid was just the opposite. The wardens didn’t even knock,” said former JNUSU general secretary Satarupa Chakraborty.
The students pointed out that the raiding team entered the rooms when many students were sleeping. Cupboards were opened and spot fines were imposed on students who were found to be breaking hostel rules.
“Efforts are on to incite hatred against JNU,” JNUSU general secretary Duggirala Srikrishna said. Last year, too, several allegations were made against JNU students. A Haryana BJP leader, Jawahar Yadav, drew a comparison between its students and sex workers and another BJP MLA, Gyandev Ahuja, said 3,000 used condoms were found every day in the varsity, and “girls and boys dance naked” at cultural shows.
“While the issue of building more hostels on campus remains unresolved, students are being harassed and hostel rooms raided instead,” said a students’ group called the Collection in a social media site while condemning the attack. JNU Teachers’ Association president Ayesha Kidwai said the attacks were “nothing short of social terrorism”.
ABVP also condemned the administration for the “highhandedness and moral policing” in the name of hostel checks.
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