In a defiant move, student organizations at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have rejected a new advisory banning protests near the varsity office. The advisory, issued by the JNU Dean of Students (DoS) office, prohibits demonstrations within 100 meters of the administration block, citing High Court orders. However, student groups have condemned the advisory as an infringement on their democratic rights.
The protest ban follows demonstrations by the JNUSU outside the DoS office on Thursday against the termination of six contractual housekeeping workers due to an age limit clause in the university’s employment rules. The workers have since been reinstated, but the JNUSU is demanding job security for all contractual staff.
Additionally, the JNUSU and other student groups have been protesting the continued closure of Barack Hostel, despite its readiness for use since 2023. The university administration has provided no clear explanation for the hostel’s closure, leaving students without adequate accommodation.
The JNUSU has vowed to continue its protests despite the ban, asserting that the right to protest is a fundamental right of citizens. The RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also condemned the advisory, calling it a dictatorial attempt to suppress student dissent.
The university’s decision to ban protests near the administration office has sparked widespread criticism and has further strained relations between the administration and student groups. The students are determined to continue their fight for their rights, including the right to voice their concerns and demand accountability from the university administration.
