Chaos at JNU meet, Vice-Chancellor walks out

Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar abruptly adjourned the academic council meeting after varsity teachers demanded that the report of the high-level inquiry committee should be scrapped and proctorial orders on students, allegedly linked to the controversial Feb. 9 event, should be revoked.

The teachers wanted the V-C to address the burning issue promptly, but ensuing chaos in the meeting led to the V-c walking out without conducting the business of the meeting.

JNU students had organised a mass protest outside the venue of the academic council meeting to raise their demands and scrap the controversial report.

“The behaviour of the teachers was unruly as they collectively shouted at the chair and sought to force upon him to begin the meeting with their item as agenda No. 1. As the situation turned into pandemonium, the vice-chancellor, in his capacity as the chairperson, agreed to discuss their agenda — the recommendations of the inquiry committee against the students allegedly linked to the February 9 incident, a statement issued by the varsity said.

“As the discussion began, the members of the academic council, particularly some teacher and student representatives, were allowed to raise their points of view for about an hour. However, a group of teachers sought to force upon the chairperson to take a decision then and there by announcing revocation of the proctorial orders,” the statement said.

The JNU administration said that the vice-chancellor was prevented by some students from leaving the venue of the meeting. “When the V-C proceeded towards his office from the venue, some students attempted to surround him by forming a human chain and prevent him from moving forward. Some of the students literally pulled his shirt and tried to pin him down. However, the vice-chancellor, with the help of security staff, managed to reach his office.”

The administration urged the JNU community to use peaceful means to resolve the issue “rather than resorting to violent methods.” However, the students outside the administration block alleged the vice-chancellor ran away from the meeting without even listening to the students. “The JNU vice-chancellor literally ran away from the meeting amidst the resistance of students and teachers. It is unprecedented. This is such a shame,” said Gargi Adhikari, a varsity student.