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At Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), some students have complained that the administration has “barred” them from registering for the upcoming semester and fined them thousands of rupees for taking part in protests. The students asserted that the fine ranged from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and accused the administration of “harassment”. Rajnish Kumar Mishra, the top proctor at JNU, has refuted the accusations, saying that the appropriate procedures were followed before taking any action.
Student activists Simone Zoya Khan, a PhD candidate, and Kaushik Raj are among the students who received notifications. Khan formerly served as vice president of the JNU Students Union (JNUSU). Notice has been issued to Kaushik for the demonstration in 2018 that, in his defence, he didn’t even attend. According to the August 29 notification, Kaushik must contribute Rs 10,000 by September 5 “In any event, he is instructed to deposit the sum of Rs 10,000. If not, he might not be permitted to register for the upcoming semester until he receives approval from the office, “The head proctor’s signature appeared on the notice.
Speaking to PTI, Kaushik, a PhD candidate who is in his last year, claimed that the fine levied on him was incorrect because he wasn’t present for the protest against mandatory attendance that took place in a lecture room in 2018. Kaushik worries that his efforts will be in vain if he is denied permission to register for the upcoming semester. “I was absent when the protest took place. I gave an oral and written deposition stating that I was not present even during the prosecutorial investigation. I continue to receive fines. I am aware of five or six additional students who have received a similar warning “explained Kaushik.
The university, according to Simone Zoya Khan, a PhD candidate who is also in her final year, is targeting student activists for organising protests. Simone received notification of the identical protest from last year. Vice President of JNUSU at the time. Given that she must turn in her thesis this year, Simone claimed she could not take the risk and made arrangements for the fine money. “It is unjust. The college wants to attract pupils. Numerous frivolous and misleading allegations are made against pupils. The university charges an annual fee of Rs 200–300 and a fine of Rs 15,000 for any unpaid fees. How is that just?” Simone enquired.
The All India Students’ Association claimed in a statement that the JNU proctor office’s move was motivated by politics. The administration is being accused by the student organisation of issuing hefty fines specifically to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The imposition of a fine, according to Chief Proctor Mishra, is nothing new, and all actions are made after following the proper protocol. “We don’t prevent students from applying for admission. Based on numerous procedural inquiries, this is standard procedure. It is nothing new, “Over the phone, Mishra said PTI.
The Democratic Students Federation (DSF) also reported that a prosecutorial inquiry had been brought against a number of students as a result of the June 20 demonstration at the School of International Studies for offline classes. “It is my duty to inform you all that two of your students, Poshal Gyamba and Sakshi Sinha, have become the subject of a prosecutorial inquiry into the “protest rally for offline lessons” at SIS-1 on June 20. Although they have not yet been contacted, fellow students Harshit Raj Chaudhary and Raghav Gill are also included in the report “DSF stated.
