Fee hike: JNU students boycott exams, varsity refuses to alter schedule

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students, except those from three schools, boycotted a semester-end exam on Thursday over the hostel fee hike issue but the varsity administration refused to alter the schedule.

Also, Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar held a series of meetings with student representatives and teachers to discuss ways to restore normalcy at the university, but not much progress could be made as neither the students appeared to soften their stand nor the administration seemed keen to accommodate all their demands.

Kumar came to office after almost a month due to the ongoing protests during which the students had occupied the administration block. Heavy security was deployed there on Thursday.

The police had posted appeals around the block urging students not hold any protest within 100 metres of the building and warned them of contempt of court.

The HRD Ministry had on Wednesday met student union members and proposed that utility and service charge be covered by the UGC and a two-week relaxation in exams be granted to cover the academic losses.

Concession in hostel fees proposed by the HRD Ministry for JNU students and the two-week relaxation for the lost academic period can be availed if they call off their strike and normalcy is restored on campus, the ministry has advised.

The HRD Ministry has called for a "foolproof" system to prevent recurrence of issues like the ongoing standoff between the JNU administration and students over the hostel fee hike.

During the meetings held on campus on Thursday, the VC informed the students about the discussions he had with the HRD minister, secretary and UGC chairman, and stressed the need to expeditiously restore normal academic activities, including the conduct of the semester-end exams.

The VC explained to the hostel presidents about the revised hostel manual and the issues related to the hostel utility and service charges. The discussions covered a wide range of issues including the extension of the current semester.

"The university is committed to help the bona fide students who wish to write their exams and complete their academic requirements. The interests of bona fide students is a top priority to the university," he told PTI, adding, the university is open to having a dialogue with students.

The institution has seen protests for over a month over the hostel fee hike issue and even though the university has twice offered partial rollbacks, the students have refused to accept them.

The ministry last month set up a three-member committee to recommend ways to restore normalcy in JNU and mediate between students and university administration. The panel has submitted its report but the ministry is yet to take a call on it.

The ministry last week asked the high-powered committee to compare the hostel fee structure of the JNU, after the second rollback, with other central universities.

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that the government has not directed any central university to increase fees.

His comment came on a day the police lathicharged JNU students when they tried to march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet the president and urge him to ensure the hike in hostel fee is completely rolled back.