JNU revokes suspension of 8 students

Jawaharlal Nehru University on Friday revoked the academic suspension of eight students, including JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar, after a high-level inquiry committee, probing the controversial campus event linked to Parliament attacks convict Afzal Guru, submitted its report.

The JNU administration, however, clarified that revoking of the suspension does not signify a “clean chit” to the eight students. The final decision on the issue will be taken after examination of the report by the vice-chancellor, Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar.

The students had been suspended on February 12 on the basis of a preliminary report by the panel set up on February 10.

“The high-level inquiry committee, constituted by the vice-chancellor to investigate the February 9 incident that took place in JNU campus, has submitted its report. The report is under consideration by the JNU administration,” a senior university officer told PTI.

“Since the inquiry is over, their suspension has been revoked. The suspended students can now resume their classes and academic activities. However, it should not be seen as a clean-chit, the decision about punishment if any or for whom will be taken after the university administration has deliberated upon the recommendations of the committee,” the officer added. The varsity’s proctorial committee, which was given the task to look into the matter, was replaced with a high-level committee the next day. The panel, which was granted three extensions before it finally submitted its report, also faced a challenge with the students refusing to depose before it, demanding that the inquiry panel be constituted afresh. The varsity, however, turned down the demand and maintained that the students will be given three chances to appear before the disciplinary committee and if they fail to do so, the committee will finalise its recommendations on the basis of the evidence, eyewitness accounts, students’ deposition (if any) and material available on hand. During Friday’s protest in the campus, the demand for a new panel to be set up continued and both the JNUSU president and vice-president said that the committee’s report would be opposed because it is “illegitimately constituted.” Amidst tight security after an attack on him on Thursday, Mr Kumar said in his speech to the students, “A new inquiry committee should be formed and the members in the panel should have a neutral background so that a fair report can be given to the administration. We do not know what action will be taken against the students facing suspension.”

Rahila, a former JNUSU presidential candidate, said the inquiry committee should arrive at a mutual decision by having a neutral panel this time. “We had the protest to put pressure on the vice-chancellor to conduct a fair inquiry and include women in the new panel this time along with members from social science background. There should be neutral people in the committee so that a mutual decision can be taken.”

Amrita, a senior AISF member said, “We have never allowed the entry of the police inside the campus and that is the reason we don’t want just because we are being threatened we show this as a challenge to them. If the police enters the campus it might end the culture here and to maintain the autonomy, we do not need police protection.”