The future of eight students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) debarred on the charges of anti-India sloganeering on the campus is still hanging in balance as one of the students was denied fellowship. As per the student, Sweta Raj, her application for fellowship was rejected by the officials citing her suspension.
“After filling my scholarship form, I went to submit it with the administration but they denied to accept the form saying that my suspension has yet not been revoked,” said Sweta Raj.
“Even if the academic debarment would have continued, the administration has no right to suspend fellowship as the expulsion was limited and it just prohibits a student from taking class,” she added. When University administration was contacted on the matter they denied any such information.
Apart from the JNUSU president, Kanhaiya Kumar and Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya, Ashutosh Kumar, Rama Naga, Anant Prakash, Aishwarya Adhikari and Shweta Raj are still barred. Raj is a member of the Left-backed All India Students’ Association (AISA).
The university had formed a Proctorial committee to probe the protest in question. The alleged anti-India slogans were reportedly raised during a protest march on the campus against Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s hanging.
The protest was staged even though the JNU administration had revoked permission following a complaint from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
Following the Proctorial committee report, the university had formed a five-member led committee to inquire into the matter. Last month, the investigation committee submitted its report but action is yet to be taken on the basis of report.