JNUSU accuses Vice-Chancellor of dismissing hunger strike demands

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has accused Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit of failing to engage in meaningful negotiations with students currently on a hunger strike. The union claims that while the Vice-Chancellor publicly expressed concern for the health of the protesters, her actual engagement was dismissive.

JNUSU President Aditi Mishra reported that during a brief visit to the protest site, the Vice-Chancellor told protesters their demands had been met and urged them to end the strike. Mishra further alleged that the Vice-Chancellor refused to speak directly to rusticated students, stating she would not engage with them before leaving in her vehicle.

The hunger strike is part of a broader protest regarding the revocation of the rustication of JNUSU office-bearers. These students were suspended for two semesters following a protest against the installation of a facial recognition and biometric system at the university. The union maintains that the administration has shown a lack of seriousness by failing to finalize scheduled negotiation meetings.