An inquiry committee of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) issued show cause notices to around 15 students for staging a gherao. Observing that staging a gherao was an act of “indiscipline” and “misconduct”, the committee said it “disrupted the normal functioning” of the university administration.
The allegation has, however, been denied by the students.
The notice issued to the students said, “You have been found guilty in the following acts of indiscipline — sitting in room no. 225 of the Administration Block the whole night of February 27, despite a request by the security persons to vacate.” The students are given time to respond till 5 pm on October 25, failing which it will be presumed that they have nothing to say in their defence.
If the students fail to defend themselves, they will have to face punishments, including cancellation of admission, withdrawal of degree, fines up to Rs 20,000 and rustication for two semesters, depending on the charges slapped against them.
Former JNU Students’ Union general secretary Satarupa Chakraborty alleged that the university administration was trying to instill a sense of fear among the students and discourage them from raising voice against any injustice.