JNU: End hungerstrike as matter is sub judice

Hinting at limited scope of negotiations with the students on the issue of punishment meted out to them in connection with the controversial February 9 event, Jawaharlal Nehru University on Wednesday asked students to call off the hungerstrike saying the matter is sub judice.

“The JNU administration appeals to students to end the hungerstrike immediately in view of some students moving to the high court on the issue of the high-level inquiry committee report related to the event on February 9,” the university administration said in a statement.

“The court has asked the university to deposit all the documents related to it for judicial scrutiny. Since the matter is sub judice, the administration will abide by the court ruling,” it added.

Earlier this week, the varsity had formed a four-member committee to look into the demands of the students protesting against punishments by JNU for involvement in the controversial February 9 event. However, the panel may take a back seat after two students Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya moved the high court on Tuesday against the punishment orders.

Meanwhile, on the 14th day of the ongoing hungerstrike, one more student, SSL convenor Sweta Raj, had to withdraw from the strike after she was admitted to AIIMS after her health deteriorated on Tuesday night.

So far, 13 students, including JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid, have withdrawn from the fast while seven others are still continuing with the strike.

Hearing the petition, the Delhi high court on Tuesday had issued a notice to the JNU administration, seeking its response and directed that the date of deposit of the fine by Mr Khalid shall be extended till May 30, which is the next date of hearing.

An academic council meeting in the university was also adjourned on Tuesday by the JNU vice-chancellor.