Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has implemented a ban on protests within 100 meters of academic buildings, with students facing possible expulsion if the rules are flouted. This comes as an addition to the existing prohibition on protests near administrative blocks, as per a previous High Court order. The revised Chief Proctor Office (CPO) manual states that any activity inciting intolerance towards religion, caste, or community, or deemed anti-national, will be subject to a fine of Rs 10,000.
The decision follows an incident in October where an anti-national slogan was found on the School of Languages building wall, prompting the administration to establish a committee to address the recurring nature of such occurrences on campus.
The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) has strongly opposed the new regulations, claiming they aim to suppress dissent within the university. JNUSU demands an immediate withdrawal of the Chief Proctor Manual, stating that the stringent measures hinder the vibrant campus culture that has characterized JNU for decades.
The new rules, approved by the Executive Council on November 24, grant Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit or the competent authority the power to classify acts as punishable if they are in violation of the university’s disciplinary conduct. They also possess the authority to modify, uphold, or waive the punishment as deemed appropriate.
In addition to the ban on protests, the university has forbidden the printing, circulation, or display of posters or pamphlets with derogatory remarks pertaining to religion, community, caste, or those considered anti-national.
The revised CPO manual outlines the consequences for engaging in various prohibited activities, such as hunger strikes, dharnas, group bargaining, or blocking the entrance or exit of academic and administrative buildings within the 100-meter radius. Offenders may incur a fine of Rs 20,000, eviction from the hostel for two months, or even rustication and be declared out of bounds for up to two months.
The manual explicitly states that all forms of coercion leading to the disruption of normal academic and administrative functioning of the university, including gheraos, sit-ins, or acts inciting violence, will face punishment.
Furthermore, students receiving five or more punishments during their tenure will be expelled from the university. If found guilty of any prohibited activities, the student will be unable to register for the semester and will not be granted a ‘no-dues’ certificate until the imposed fine is paid. The university administration will also notify the parents or guardians of the student and upload the punishment details on the official website.
The manual indicates that if a student fails to appear before a proctorial inquiry, the committee will assume the complaint was filed with malicious intent and may require the student to perform community service within JNU. Any false allegations against a student by the complainant can also result in rustication from the university.
In contrast to previous proctorial inquiries, the new regulations eliminate cross-examination between the defendant, complainant, or witnesses. The Vice-Chancellor will have the final say in case of any dispute regarding the interpretation of these rules.
JNU’s decision to restrict protests near academic buildings has sparked debate among students, with concerns expressed about the potential stifling of dissent on campus. The impact of these new measures will be closely observed in the coming months, as JNU continues to navigate the balance between maintaining discipline and preserving the spirit of free expression for which the university has long been hailed.
