JNUSU questions enquiry panel's credibility

The Jawharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) on Monday questioned the university's decision to suspend eight students from academic activities, as recommended by a "high-level" enquiry committee formed to investigate February 9 incidents on the campus.

The union, in a statement, pointed out that although majority of suspended students came from marginalised sections, but there was no member from such sections in the enquiry panel.

"The JNU Students Union has severe apprehensions about the neutrality of this committee. The committee, even before following due process, has debarred the eight students from all academic activity. When the case is already prejudged, how can the committee conduct any fair investigation?" JNUSU vice president Shehla Rashid said.

The students union on Monday submitted a memorandum, signed by over 2,000 students, demanding the administration to take back the debarring of the eight students.

"Through the memorandum, we also raised concerns about the constitution of the committee, which consists of former members of ABVP and the anti-reservation Youth for Equality," she added.

The committee has professor Rakesh Bhatnagar, professor Himadri Bohidar and professor Suman K. Dhar as its members.

The students on Monday boycotted classes and gathered at the JNU's administration block where several teachers, former student union leaders, activists and artists addressed the students and expressed solidarity with them.

Among those who addressed the meeting were former JNUSU leaders Prakash Karat, Kavita Krishnan, Albeena Shakeel, Sucheta De and Lenin Kumar.