JNU issues showcause notice to 15 students for ‘campus activism’

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) authorities issued showcause notices to 15 students for allegedly indulging in “campus activism”. The students were framed under Category I and Category II of the University’s Statute under which the punishments range from “rustication for four semesters” to “expulsion,” if found guilty.

The showcause notices issued to some students already held them “guilty” of holding protest outside the administration building and Rector-1 office on February 27 and February 28, 2017, respectively. Some of them have been charged of using “derogatory” language and “locking” Room number 225 of the administration building from outside during a meeting between students and the Vice Chancellor on February 28, 2017.

“This is the act of indiscipline and misconduct. You are hereby asked to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against you for indulging in the above mentioned act,” the notice read. The students have been asked to be present before the Chief Proctor’s office latest by October 25 at 5 pm.

Meanwhile, the students termed it as “violation” of procedures which need to be followed to ensure “free and fair inquiries”.

“There is no evidence  and neither have they produced the CCTV footage, even after asking repeatedly, of the area outside room 225 which can show clearly that a false narrative of the incident has been put forth by the administration,” said one of the students.