Top ranking ‘ironical’: JNU student leaders

Students leaders in JNU, which on Monday featured in the list of top ranking institutions in the country by the Centre, said it was “ironical” that the varsity was being recognised for its “autonomy”.

“This hasn’t come as a surprise to us because JNU has always been ranked among top institutions. What is ironical is that the university has been awarded the top ranking for its autonomy by the Ministry which has been trying to attack us for months. 

“We are thankful to the minister for this ironical certification. It will satisfy many who are concerned about taxpayers’ money being wasted by JNU students,” JNU students’ union president Kanhaiya Kumar said.

Kumar said “when it comes to social sciences, JNU has always been ranked the best. It is also noteworthy that what are the variables based on which the universities have been ranked”.

JNU and Hyderabad university, which have been at the centre of controversies recently, top the list of central varsities while IIT-Madras and IIM-Bangalore lead among technology and management institutions, according to the first ever domestic ranking released on Monday by government. JNUSU general secretary Rama Naga said “the rankings are not surprising but ironical. They (government) target our autonomy and later certify us for being among the top autonomous institutions.”