JNU admin sets up 7-member committee

New Delhi: In a new twist to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) drama, the administration on Sunday announced the formation of a seven-member "high-level" committee for resolution of the ongoing conflict between students and the varsity administration.

According to a circular from the registrar, the seven-member committee that came into existence on Sunday, asked for suggestions from student representatives and find solutions over the proposed fee hike among other issues.

However, JNU Students' Union has called it a charade. Speaking to Millennium Post JNUSU, vice-president Saket Moon said, "A selected representatives got the circular on an email and were asked to send their suggestions by evening 5.30." He said, it is bizarre, for there is no other information about the seven-member committee. "On a Sunday they have come up with a so-called high-level committee, even after MHRD already has set up a three-member committee," said Moon.

The admin's decision comes when Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), is likely to submit its report on Monday, over the ongoing issues. A three member committee that was established on November 18, sat down with students and over two meetings will come up with an answer.

The move by the administration, was criticised by the students' union. "The level of shamelessness with this administration continues to rise wherein the mail has not been sent to the JNUSU even as government-appointed committees find it common sense to recognise the legitimacy of the elected union," they said.

The students have been on strike for nearly four weeks against the draft hostel manual, which has provisions for fee hike, a new dress code and curfew timings. They have been demanding a complete rollback of the manual. The schools where classes are conducted have also been shut. Following protests, the administration had announced a partial rollback and removal of clauses pertaining to the dress code and curfew that the students rejected.