The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) currently lacks an officially recognized student union due to ongoing legal matters, according to Vice-Chancellor Santishree D Pandit. Emphasizing the commitment to uphold the Lyngdoh committee recommendations, Pandit stated that the administration aims to conduct student union elections in compliance with these guidelines.

The announcement follows the JNUSU’s declaration of a demonstration outside the Dean of Students (DoS) office to protest the delayed elections. The JNUSU has consistently faced issues with recognition since 2019 when the administration declined to officially notify the students union, citing technicalities in the poll results. The last JNUSU polls occurred in 2019.

The JNUSU called for a ‘gherao’ of the DoS office on January 17, urging immediate notification of election dates. Despite appeals and scheduled meetings, the Vice-Chancellor did not meet with the JNUSU delegation, leading to concerns about deliberate delays in the election process.

The student union demanded the revocation of rustication orders and proctorial inquiries against protesting students, along with addressing infrastructural issues on campus.

Vice-Chancellor Pandit clarified that the student union elections were not halted, and adherence to the Lyngdoh committee rules was essential. Currently, the university lacks an officially recognized students union due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

As per the Lyngdoh committee recommendations, student union elections should be conducted within six to eight weeks from the commencement of the semester. The ongoing Ph.D. admissions, delayed due to UG and PG exams, are expected to continue until the first week of February. The university administration had previously stated that JNUSU elections would follow the completion of Ph.D. admissions.

The Vice-Chancellor indicated a willingness to reconsider proctorial inquiries at an appeal stage, but emphasized the need to adhere to court orders and not violate ongoing legal proceedings and filed FIRs.

Source: PTI

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