JNU students have been protesting for sometime against new rule in the varsity
AMN / NEW DELHI
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has constituted a three-member committee today to recommend ways for the restoration of the normal functioning of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, JNU.
A Ministry order said the committee will hold dialogue with all the stakeholders and advise the university administration for resolution of contentious issues.
The panel comprises former UGC Chairman VS Chauhan, AICTE chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe and UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain.
“With a view to restore the normal functioning of JNU through dialogue with all stakeholders and to advise the university administration for resolution of contentious issues, the government has appointed a three-member high power committee,” HRD Secretary R Subrahmanyam said.
The committee will initiate dialogue with the students and varsity administration immediately and submit recommendations on actions to be taken.
The UGC will provide required support for the functioning of the committee.
The students of JNU have been protesting for nearly three weeks against the draft hostel manual which has provisions for hostel fee hike and dress code, among others.
The varsity’s Executive Council had announced a partial rollback in the fee only for students belonging to BPL category and not availing any scholarships.
Protest continue
At least 50 JNU students were detained by Delhi Police this afternoon as they and hundreds of others marched on Parliament, chanting anti-fee hike slogans and carrying posters and placards. The students’ body said the march was a “way to appeal to lawmakers to fight on our behalf inside the floor of the house”.
In response authorities imposed prohibitory orders both outside the parliament building and around the JNU campus.
The students have been protesting a fee hike that was revealed in a recently released draft hostel manual. Last week, hundreds of students clashed with cops on the university’s convocation day. Policemen in riot gear, completely outnumbered by students, were seen jostling with the crowd.
The protests are primarily over hikes to fees for hostel rooms. The university has raised rent for a double room from Rs. 10 per month to Rs. 300 per month, that for a single room from Rs. 20 per month to Rs. 600 per month and increased one-time refundable mess security deposit from Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 12,000.