Non-teaching staff condemns action against JNU students

The non-teaching staff of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here on Monday denounced the university for barring eight students from academic activity without even an inquiry.

At the same time, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Staff Association (JNUSA) and Jawaharlal Nehru University Officers Association (JNUOA) also sought action against those who shouted anti-national slogans on the campus on February 9.

"The JNU administration has taken the completely undemocratic (step) of debarring eight students from academic activity without any enquiry," said a memorandum submitted to the vice-chancellor.

"Suspension of students leaning to a particular ideology without due process is a violation of the principle of natural justice," it said.

The escalating protests in the JNU follow the arrest of student union president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges that he too shouted the anti-Indian slogans at a meeting on Kashmir. Kanhaiya Kumar has denied the charge.

His arrest has sparked widespread protests by students, teachers as well as opposition parties. Kanhaiya Kumar is from the CPI-affiliated All India Students Federation (AISF).

The non-teaching staff also expressed "serious concern" over the constitution of a probe committee, which they said has a member close to the ABVP, the student wing of the RSS.

The non-teaching staff staged protests in front of the administrative block of the JNU.

"We appeal the JNU administration and central government to take strict action against whomsoever is responsible for the (slogan-shouting) incident."

"The guilty should be immediately arrested and severely punished," JNUSA general secretary Ajay Kumar told the media.

Ajay Kumar told IANS that the non-teaching staff were only protesting and not going on strike.

"In case they fail to submit a fair report by 25th (of February), then we have to change our future course of action."