Students behaving in a particular manner is understandable. Teachers not going to class isn’t acceptable: JNU Chancellor

NEW DELHI: JNU Chancellor VK Saraswat on Tuesday said students behaving in a particular manner because of the ‘fee hike’ issue was understandable but teachers not going to classes wasn’t acceptable.

Speaking to ET for the first time since the recent JNU crisis, which began on January 5 after masked assailants brutally targeted the protesting students, Saraswat said the present situation was avoidable.

“There was a hike in hostel charges and students raised some concerns which were addressed by the HRD ministry in mid-December and again last week. Yet, the agitation continued. They are now demanding VC’s removal. This only shows there are other issues involved here,” he said.

On the resignation of economist Amit Bhaduri as professor emeritus, Saraswat said: “If a professor emeritus wants to give up the status, it is his wish. But how is he contributing by detaching himself from JNU? He is giving a wrong message because he has not gone into the details of the issue. Just because the public opinion is turning in the favour of an idea that students are being oppressed, he is also toeing the line. When intellectuals react without understanding things, it’s a matter of concern. I also read Satya Nadella’s opinion… Many of them have not applied themselves adequately.”

Saraswat said: “JNU had a freerun over the last 50-60 years. Teachers being asked to record their attendance or rationalise the number of PhD scholars they can guide from 30-40 to the UGC norm of 6-8 are all best practices, which any good institution is expected to follow… So when a certain amount of discipline is being enforced, it is being met with resistance.”

All this indicated that the intention was to keep a certain ideology alive, Saraswat said, adding: “Teachers have certain sense of responsibility. We are hoping that after expressing their displeasure, they will go back to classes… Otherwise, there is nothing wrong at JNU. It is an excellent institution and a large number of people do good work there.”

‘ANTI-NATIONAL’
Saraswat said because of the freerun, there was so much freedom to speak on any issue and, in the process, sometimes limits were crossed. “Once that happens, it sparks a reaction which is also ideological sometimes. These reactions may be positive or negative, some may call it anti-national, anti-religion, antiparty… As a result, unfortunately, one may get branded as well.”

Defending VC M Jagadesh Kumar, Saraswat said: “The VC is an eminent professor of an IIT. He wants to bring in disciplined functioning, which probably neither the teacher nor students are happy with. They do not want curbs of any kind and want to continue as they have been doing — a kind of irresponsible freedom. Probably, past VCs never bothered about these things and so never had any problems.”

Saraswat said he had held many discussions with the VC over several issues, including the aggressive behaviour of students towards him like ‘locking him’ in his office. “In such a situation, can there be a communication?”

Citing Jamia Millia Islamia students as an example, Saraswat said: “There was so much discipline when the VC of Jamia was speaking this week. In JNU, unfortunately, such an atmosphere does not exist… When aggression is the mode of discussion, communication breaks down.”

Saraswat also categorically stated that no norms were violated in any recruitment of faculty or any other staff, as alleged by some teacher groups.

“Absolutely, no rules for violated. I can give it in writing because I am also a responsible authority involved in this exercise. There was absolutely no violation of any norms or rules”, he told ET.