Over 7,000 JNU students get warning over low attendance

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is set to send out letters of warning to the parents of nearly 7,000 students – around 86 per cent of the total student strength – for failing to meet the varsity's new mandatory attendance rule.

Members of the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) stated that the massive number of students who have been issued the letter shows how unpopular the mandatory attendance rule has been among the students.

"This number poses several questions to a statement made by JNU vice-chancellor Professor M Jagadesh Kumar, who claimed that a majority of students are focusing on their academics, while only a couple hundred of students who are "tacitly" supported by handful of teachers, are "instigating" all others against the rule of compulsory attendance," a student said.

Another student said, "Our parents have firm faith in us and this warning letter shows that the JNU administration has failed to control the students and are now seeking help from our parents."

He added that earlier too, attempts were made by the University administration to spread misinformation.

"A statement was released by the administration claiming that its attendance move has received support from several distinguished scientists and well-known academicians from across the board," the student said.

Sources said that at least three MPhil/PhD students, all from the School of Arts and Aesthetics, have already been sent such warning letters dated April 16, issued by the office of the assistant registrar (evaluation).

The letter tells the parents that their child "has been reported by the Centre/School for remaining absent unauthorisedly for all days in the current winter semester 2018 till end of February 2018."

"Considering future prospects of your ward, you are hereby requested to advise your ward to comply with the attendance rules," it further reads.

Students, however, criticised the University's move of "telling off adults, all of who were above the age of 25."

Simone Zoya Khan, vice-president, JNUSU, expressed her disbelief when asked about the letters. "These are 27, 28, 29-year-old research students. What do they mean by sending letters to their parents?  Some research scholars are married and have kids. This is just the university's way of undermining the voice and agency of the student. For BA or MA students I can understand. But for research scholars, it is just absurd," Khan said.

Moreover, an official from the registrar's office said that they were to send such letters to the parents of any student who has failed to meet the required 75 per cent attendance policy.