Delhi: As JNU agitators pull in different directions, protests’ fate unclear

NEW DELHI: The leaders of the protests against the hostel fee hike in Jawaharlal Nehru University complained that the increase was decided without consulting the stakeholders. Now they are being charged with the same offence by four independent councillors. This possible divide among the agitationists seemed to be confirmed on Wednesday when the JNU Students’ Union council meeting was postponed.
The letter of dissent was written by councillors Farhat Salim of the Centre for Law and Governance, Himadree Sonowal and Vishnu Prasad K of the School of International Studies and Afreen Fatima of the School of Language and Literature.
“We, the four undersigned councillors, have been forced to take out this pamphlet in deep anguish against the JNUSU following the press meet where they gave the call for ‘original registration’ (with just the registration fee). We are not members of the Left Unity alliance and we want to explicitly state how undemocratically the union has pushed through this mandate without any consultation with us or with the school faculty committee of various centres. The unorganised way with which information is being disseminated presently undermines the trust that students have put in their elected representatives,” the letter said.
The quartet questioned the union about its January 11 stand that students should only pay the semester fee of Rs 108 and Rs 120. “… by paying this fee a day scholar is put in sharp contrast with the campus residents who have to undergo a two-fold process of hostel clearance as well as semester fee payment. Non-resident scholars in a single click can now have themselves registered if they heed the JNUSU’s green light. In most hostels the total dues are inclusive of increased fees (hiked room rent) where distinguishing the registration fees becomes difficult. It goes without saying that a considerable section of students has registered solely out of the sheer confusion manufactured by the union’s message. Does a unilateral step as this one not affect the solidarity which this moment in our sustained movement against fee-hike requires?” the statement said.
It added, “… there remains no clarity on reconvening the IHA (Inter-Hall Administration) meeting at the core of the issue, the proposed 10% annual hike on room rent, demands for rescheduling of end semester assessments and facilitating a buffer period before examinations.”
Speaking to TOI, Salim elaborated, “When JNUSU said it would ask students to register, they did it without going through a democratic process. Many students said yesterday that though JNUSU seemed keen on ending the struggle, they were ready to continue. There is also no clarity for those who are yet to register, while many facing proctorial inquiry are scared.” A call has been given for a sit-in by those facing such inquiries on Thursday.
A senior NSUI leader on the campus added that most student organisations, specifically the leftist ones, did not wish to continue the protests “though the students want to go on till the hike is fully rolled back”.
In response, JNU Students’ Union vice-president Saket Moon said, “All decisions will be taken after listening to the students and GBMs. We will call a council meeting to decide on these issues.” Regarding the uncertainty of students who haven’t yet registered, he said, “Students can still register in the middle of the semester.”
As for the pending proctorial action, Moon assured, “We will ensure the inquiries are dropped and that no registration will take place until those who have been named for questioning have their names dropped. The Union HRD ministry has asked the university administration not to take punitive action against protesters.”