JNU VC conducted academic council meeting in undemocratic way: JNUTA, JNUSU

Accusing JNU Vice Chancellor of "suppressing dissent" at the 145th Academic Council that was held today, the varsity's teachers association (JNUTA) said the administration was resorting to "brazen violation" of assurances it has given to the Delhi High Court that a full discussion over the attendance issue would take place in the meeting.

JNUTA President Sonajharia Minz claimed that the minutes of 144th AC meeting, which have been objected to orally and in writing by several members of the Academic Council and have also been challenged in the Delhi High Court, were declared confirmed without any discussion.

No member, including the Deans and Chairs reinstated by the Delhi High Court, were allowed to speak at all, she added.

Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, Registrar Pramod Kumar and Rector 1 Chintamani Mahapatra did not respond to calls from PTI.

"It is alarming that the highest academic body of the university, in which due deliberation must be accorded to all academic matters, was conducted by means of open suppression of dissent. The JNUTA is appalled at the brazen violation of the assurances given to the court by JNU that a full discussion of the attendance issue would take place in the Academic Council," Minz said.

JNU Students Union (JNUSU) President Geeta Kumari who also took part in the meeting said, "In a continuation of total decimation of JNU's time-tested process of deliberation and dialogue, the JNU VC today conducted the 145th AC meeting in a brazenly undemocratic manner."