JNU student hunger strike and protest

Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have engaged in an indefinite hunger strike to protest the rustication of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) office-bearers. The disciplinary actions followed a protest against the installation of a facial recognition and biometric system on campus.

The JNUSU has accused Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit of being dismissive during negotiations. Union President Aditi Mishra alleged that the Vice-Chancellor claimed demands had already been met and refused to speak directly to the rusticated students.

As the strike entered its 17th day, Rajya Sabha member John Britas called for intervention from President Droupadi Murmu and Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi. Britas requested the reversal of expulsion orders and the withdrawal of certain provisions in the Chief Proctor’s Office regulations, expressing concern over the deteriorating health of participating students.

A dispute has emerged regarding the administration’s handling of the protesters’ welfare. The university administration maintains that medical care is being provided through twice-daily health check-ups by the Chief Medical Officer and defended the rustication by alleging the students caused approximately Rs 20 lakh in damage to public property and violated bail conditions.

In contrast, the JNUSU has accused the Vice-Chancellor of making misleading claims. The union alleges that rusticated office-bearers were denied medical check-ups during the first six days of the protest and were instead monitored via a private laboratory. The union also questioned the timing of the Vice-Chancellor’s visit to the protest site on October 16, suggesting it was intended to downplay the scale of the agitation.